BRONCOS: 'Person of interest' says he didn't kill Darrent Williams

DENVER - A man considered a person of interest in the shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams wrote a letter in state prison saying he did not kill Williams, a federal agent testified Wednesday.

Willie DeWayne Clark, 24, wrote to another inmate saying authorities had asked him about Williams’ slaying “but I didn’t do it,” Special Federal Officer Robert Fuller said during a hearing in an unrelated drug case against Clark.

Williams, 24, died from a gunshot wound in the neck as he and others were riding away from a New Year’s Eve party at a Denver nightclub. Two other people with Williams in the stretch Hummer limousine were injured.

No one has been arrested on charges stemming directly from the shooting.

Authorities identified Clark as a person of interest because they allege he worked for a gang-linked drug organization run by Brian Hicks, owner of a sport utility vehicle they believe was used in Williams’ slaying.

Hicks was in jail at the time, awaiting trial on attempted murder charges.

Fuller said Clark’s letter denying responsibility for the slaying was written in March when he was serving a 180-day sentence for parole violation. Fuller said authorities obtained a copy of the letter but did not know to whom it was written.

When Clark finished his parole violation sentence, he was turned over to federal authorities on charges of possessing and distributing cocaine. A judge refused Wednesday to set bail, citing Clark’s record of 31 missed court appearances on various charges. He is due back in court Aug. 1.

Clark’s lawyer, Alaurice Tafoya-Modi, said in a court filing last week that Clark was being “treated as a suspect” in the Williams case, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.

In the filing, Tafoya-Modi asked for additional help defending him, saying the drug case would likely be affected by the Williams investigation. The judge denied the request, calling it premature.

Denver police spokesman John White said Clark is still a person of interest in Williams’ slaying. He declined further comment.