According to BET, Craig Watkins, who was Dallas’ pioneering first Black district attorney and was known for his dedication to justice and attempts to exonerate those who had been wrongfully convicted, passed suddenly on December 12 at the age of 56.
Nobody was able to determine what caused his death.
A statement was sent by Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot regarding the demise of Craig Watkins. The statement read, “I am saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague Craig Watkins.” CBS News Texas reported the message. It is a sad that Craig’s life was cut short at such a young age because he was a brilliant and ambitious individual. With that being said, he leaves behind a significant legacy. Being the first African-American to be elected to the position of district attorney in Texas, he made history. His unwavering commitment to the prosecution of cases involving child abuse and the establishment of the nation’s first Conviction Integrity Unit are both examples of his vision and his capacity to bring about change. Those who knew Craig are better off as a result of its fact that he was a perfectly human being. I am elated to have had the opportunity to serve alongside him, to have known him, and to have been elected to the same post that he initially held. He is going to be missed.
According to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, Watkins broke barriers in 2007 by becoming the first Black man to be elected as district attorney in Dallas County. He is also widely thought to be the first Black district attorney in the state of Texas. Watkins created history by breaking barriers. Some historians consider William A. Price, who was elected county attorney in 1876, to be the first African American to hold the positions of attorney and judge in the state.
Watkins, who had previously worked as a public defense, was the one who initiated the Conviction Integrity Unit during his tenure. Over three hundred cases were investigated as part of this ground-breaking program, which was instrumental in gaining the release of twenty-five individuals who had been wrongfully convicted. He rose to a prominent national position in the struggle for justice as a result of his unwavering commitment to working toward justice and advocating for those who were unfairly incarcerated.
Having been born and raised in Dallas, Watkins graduated from Prairie View A&M University, which is a historically Black college or university. His wife, Tanya, and their three children are the only ones who will remember him.
In addition to leaving an indelible effect on Dallas County, Watkins’ reputation as a pioneer in the area of law and a persistent campaigner for justice has also left an indelible mark on the world. His pioneering work in the Conviction Integrity Unit and his dedication to correcting injustices have served as a source of motivation for a new generation of legal professionals.
