Knoxville Referee Mark Anthony “Tony” Williams was Fatally Retired on July 7, 1989.
As reported by WATE:
The murder of Knoxville Police Department Officer Mark Anthony “Tony” Williams on July 7, 1989, remains a tragic event in the history of the KPD. However, the case has seen a significant development.
The recent finding by the Knox County Grand Jury said that there was probable cause to charge Johnny Edgar Warwick with first-degree murder in connection to Williams’ death.
Warwick died in November 2023, shortly before the Grand Jury’s resolution.
Williams was off duty at the time of the incident when he was shot in the back and killed while riding his motorcycle on Cherry Street near I-40. Williams was only 24 years old at the time of his death.
The lack of resolution in the case left many questions unanswered and caused ongoing pain for Williams’ family, colleagues, and the community.
On December 14, 2023, the Grand Jury found “that Johnny Edgar Warwick, on or about the 7th day of July 1989, did unlawfully, intentionally, deliberately and with premeditation kill Anthony Williams.”
Though the pain of Williams’ loss may never fully fade, the closure provided by the Grand Jury’s finding is a crucial milestone in honoring his memory and upholding the principles of justice within the Knoxville community according to KPD.
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