Craig Watkins, Dallas’ trailblazing first Black district attorney, renowned for his commitment to justice and efforts in exonerating wrongly convicted individuals, passed away Dec. 12. at the age of 56, BET reports.
His cause of death was not disclosed.
CBS News Texas released a statement from Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot about Watkins’ passing: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague Craig Watkins. Craig was bright and ambitious, and for his life to end so prematurely is a tragedy. However, he leaves behind a powerful legacy. He made history as the first elected African-American district attorney in Texas. His fierce focus on the prosecution of child abuse cases and his creation of the first Conviction Integrity Unit in the nation are testaments to his vision and ability to effect change. Craig was perfectly human, and those who knew him are better for it. I am proud to have known him, to have worked with him, and to have been elected to the same office he held. He will be missed.”
In 2007, Watkins made history by shattering barriers, becoming the first Black man elected as district attorney in Dallas County, and is widely believed to be the first Black district attorney in Texas, as reported by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. Some historians point to William A. Price, elected county attorney in 1876, as the state’s first Black attorney and judge.
During his tenure, Watkins, a former public defender, established the Conviction Integrity Unit. This groundbreaking initiative scrutinized over 300 cases and played a pivotal role in securing the release of 25 wrongly convicted inmates. His dedication to justice and advocacy for the wrongfully imprisoned elevated him to a prominent national position in the fight for justice.
A Dallas native, Watkins was an alumnus of Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black university. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and their three children.
Watkins’ legacy as a trailblazer in the legal field and a tireless advocate for justice has left an indelible mark on Dallas County and beyond. His pioneering work in the Conviction Integrity Unit and his commitment to rectifying miscarriages of justice have inspired a generation of legal professionals.
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