The Passing of Cedric Willis
June 25, 2019
In June of 1994, Cedric Willis, then just 19 years old, was arrested for two robberies and the murder of Carl White, Jr, despite lack of any physical evidence.
In March 2006, with the help of the New Orleans Innocence Project, DNA evidence proved Willis did not commit the crime. After serving over 11 years, including three before his trial, Willis was set free.
Cedric Willis spent 11 years, 8 months, 11 days in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
A year after his arrest, DNA testing performed on the rape kit taken from the rape victim excluded Mr. Willis from the crime.
13 years after being freed, he lost his life on June 24, 2019 victim of Jackson street crime.
One Voice is dedicated to the continuing efforts to end mass criminalization in Mississippi through state policy reform, municipal drug law, police accountability strategies, and progressive leadership development for DAs and law enforcement. The purpose of One Voice is to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other disenfranchised communities while building local and regional ability to sustain hard won battles. This is a vision that connects justice to political and economic opportunity.
Our work to build power within underserved communities is a tactic to address the ongoing systemic disparities that plague these communities.
For a very long time, we’ve connected the dots between racial profiling, mass incarceration, and the War on Drugs. This lead communities to seek our help in dealing with incidents of racial profiling, police brutality, and unfair sentencing practices.
We will honor Cedric’s legacy by continuing this work. It’s time to end the senseless violence in our communities by dismantling conditions of poverty and increasing mental health supports. One Voice’s condolences are extended to Cedric’s Mother, Son and the rest of his family and dear friends. He was more than just a story to us, he was a friend who always volunteered for One Voice and NAACP events. His presence will be missed in our lives.