Craig Watkins Death – Pioneer and justice crusader Craig Watkins was suddenly killed at home at the age of 56. We are grieving his leaving with sorrowful hearts. The community is commemorating his life and the tremendous impact he made on this world, and is startled and saddened by his unexpected demise. During his tenure as Dallas County’s district attorney from 2007 to 2015, Watkins diligently upheld the rights of those who had been falsely charged in his capacity as an honorable public servant.
As Dallas’s first African American district attorney, Craig Watkins set the standard for others to follow in his footsteps. During his time in public office, he was known for acting morally and fairly. During his tenure in office, Watkins organized a large number of individuals in support of the wrongfully convicted by initiating programs to reverse convictions. One of Watkins’s greatest achievements as Dallas County’s district attorney was founding the office’s conviction integrity unit.
This team was crucial in investigating cases involving people who were thought to have been wrongfully convicted. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Watkins fought tirelessly to make amends and give the innocent a second chance at life. Throughout his entire term in office, Watkins—a strong opponent of the criminal justice system—worked to free miscreants by promoting mercy. His efforts led to multiple exonerations, providing hope to others who had been imprisoned for decades for nonexistent crimes.
The conviction integrity section of Watkins provided a model for other states around the country, demonstrating the impact of a committed public servant on the pursuit of justice. Craig Watkins demonstrated his unrelenting dedication to the legal profession by establishing his own law firm on MLK Boulevard in South Dallas following the conclusion of his stint as district attorney. He never wavered in his commitment to helping the oppressed by offering legal advice and other forms of community support.
Our sympathies and prayers are with Craig Watkins’s family and friends at this difficult time of grief. The family has asked for privacy while they finish their funeral arrangements. The legacy of Craig Watkins will live on in Dallas’ legal annals. His memory and the recollections of upcoming generations will carry on the struggle against false convictions. May we honor the life of a man who lived it to the fullest, serving others and doing the right thing, even as we grieve his passing.