Watch man exonerated after 37 years behind bars wow the judges on America’s Got Talent
The singing prowess and triumphant backstory of Archie Williams made him an instant fan-favorite on “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s season premiere of “AGT” showcased Williams, who was exonerated from prison last year after spending nearly 37 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.
He was 22 years old when he was wrongfully arrested for the rape and attempted murder of a woman in Baton Rouge, according to the Innocence Project, who eventually helped exonerate him.
“He was just walking down the street one day when the police snatched him up, and ended up putting his photograph in a photo array that was viewed by a woman who had been attacked in her home,” his lawyer, Vanessa Potkin, told NPR last year.
Sentenced to life behind bars, Williams was exonerated in 2019 when new evidence revealed serial rapist Stephen Forbes was responsible for the crime, the Innocence Project said.
“I couldn’t believe it was really happening. I knew I was innocent, I didn’t commit a crime,” Williams said in an ‘AGT’ clip. “Being a poor black kid, I didn’t have the economic ability to fight the state of Louisiana.”
A mistaken witness identification and official misconduct were contributing factors in Williams being wrongly put behind bars, according to The National Registry of Exonerations.
When Williams’ charges were dismissed, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar C. Moore III told Williams in court, “As a representative of the state, I apologize,” according to the registry.
Williams is now trying to “make up for all the lost years,” he told the ”/Today” show. He told the show he always visualized himself on “AGT.”
He performed Elton John’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me” during his audition for “America’s Got Talent,’” moving the judges to tears in the process.
“I don’t cry for a whole lot of things, but that really did it to me, I have to tell you,” Heidi Klum said.
Prior to Tuesday’s airing of the show, Simon Cowell tweeted he will “never forget this audition for the rest of my life.”
Inspired by Williams’ backstory, Cowell became an ambassador for the Innocence Project, the organization announced Tuesday. He called the audition “probably the most important one in the history of ‘America’s Got Talent.’”
Even Elton John was moved by the performance. He tweeted Tuesday he was “moved to tears” by Williams’ story and performance of his song.
“The courage and forgiveness shown by him is truly inspiring,” the legendary singer said. “The same spirit that the world found so inspiring with Nelson Mandela.”
Williams will advance to the next round of the reality TV show competition, which will air throughout the summer.
He shared on Instagram Wednesday morning he has “received countless messages, comments and donations” since the audition aired.
“Some of you have shared your own heartbreaking stories of fighting for justice in the legal system. I am praying for you,” he said.
