Prisoner Indicted In 2007 Death Of Harford County Man

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A witness who came forward recently helped Harford County detectives file murder charges in a cold case that was dormant for nearly two decades.

Gary Williams, 45, has been indicted in the homicide of 30-year-old David Byrd, who was stabbed to death in Edgewood in August 2007. Byrd and Williams were friends years ago, according to authorities, who believed a fight of some sort led to the fatal stabbing, officials told WMAR.

But until now, police didn't have proof to file charges. When HCSO Detective Kevin Smith contacted a witness again, that individual decided to disclose important information that cracked the case.

"This case was just, taking that one person to come forward and do the right thing. That's what changed everything in this case," Smith told WMAR. "People change over time, perspectives change over time, and this individual thought it was the right thing to do now."

A grand jury has indicted Williams, who currently is serving a 25-year drug sentence at Petersburg Federal Correctional Institution in Virginia.