I recently had the chance to sit down with Dep Kirkland, a former assistant prosecutor who was directly involved in the Williams case. During our conversation, Dep shared his experiences with the numerous mistrials and how the defense team pushed the boundaries of the law. According to him, there was a lot going on behind the scenes—especially in the way the defense manipulated evidence to confuse the jury.

Dep recalled one particular instance where the defense altered the sequence of photographs showing key evidence at the crime scene. These small changes had a big impact on how the jury interpreted the case, leading to multiple mistrials.

It’s eye-opening to think about how much goes on that the public—or even the jury—never fully sees. In high-profile cases like this, it’s not uncommon for lawyers to play all sorts of legal “games” to win, and as Dep explained, this is part of the reality in the courtroom.

During our conversation, Dep also reflected on other famous cases, such as O.J. Simpson’s acquittal, highlighting similar tactics used by high-profile defense teams to sway juries. From manipulating evidence to controlling the narrative, these games are part of the strategy used in the courtroom.

On a personal note, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to my own experience in the courtroom when I testified against my father, who was convicted of murdering my mother. I understand firsthand how complex and emotionally draining these legal battles can be, especially when the defense has the resources to push the limits of the law.

It’s a stark reminder that the justice system is multifaceted, and while it worked in my case, it doesn’t always deliver the same outcome for everyone. We see this in many other cases, like the heartbreaking story of Danye Deon Jones, which I covered in a previous episode.

A Personal Connection to Displacement

During the episode, I also shared a message from a fan in Ukraine, Katrina (@katrinbranch), who reached out to me through Instagram. She told me how, as the war has raged on, she’s been displaced from her home along with millions of other Ukrainians. Hearing her story struck a deep chord with me.

At age 11, I was given just 20 minutes to pack my belongings and leave my home after my father murdered my mother. I never went back. The feeling of being uprooted, not knowing what’s going to happen next, is something I can relate to on a very personal level. While my experience wasn’t tied to war, the trauma of sudden displacement stays with you.

Join the Conversation

You can watch my full interview with Dep Kirkland on YouTube here. If you’re interested in diving deeper into the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil case, be sure to check out the bonus episode where Dep walks us through the case in more detail—dropping next Wednesday.

If you’re a fan of true crime, legal stories, or just want to connect, I host Instagram Lives every Tuesday at 11 AM Pacific / 2 PM Eastern. It’s always great to hear your thoughts, questions, and comments, and it’s a space where we can have real conversations. Join me on Instagram @collierlandry.

Until next time, remember: We can move past trauma, one step at a time.

Links and Resources:

• Dep Kirkland’s book Lawyer Games: After Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: Link
• Watch the full interview with Dep on YouTube: Link
• Bonus Episode Preview: Join us next week for an hour-long deep dive into the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil case.

I hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at how high-profile trials really work, and as always, I’m thankful to have such an amazing community to share these stories with.