The emotional toll suffered by those present when former Denver Bronco Darrent Williams was killed was on full display yesterday in a Denver courtroom. Prosecutors claimed Williams’ death was a result of accused gang member Willie Clark’s ego, reports The Denver Post. “In a world of Denver street gangs, in a world of Tre Tre Crips, if you are disrespected, you have a right to take an innocent life,” said Bruce Levin. The prosecution also began presenting witnesses yesterday. One, John Sheppard, was in town visiting Williams from his native Texas and described the scene from the limo in which they were riding with several other people, including former Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker. Sheppard also said publicly what has been suspected for quite some time: Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall played a key role in the fight that led up to the shooting. Apparently, Marshall’s cousin, Blair Clark, sprayed champagne on several gang members and tried to fight them outside the club when confronted a short time later. Marshall and Walker, along with several other Broncos, are expected to testify at some point in the trial.

The Broncos squad made other news yesterday, after the team released center Casey Wiegmann and backup running back LaMont Jordan. Colorado Sports Desk says the cuts reflect the team’s desire to transition away from a zone-blocking running game to a more power-based scheme. Wiegmann has earned the reputation of an iron man, as he hasn’t missed an offensive snap since the second week of 2001, when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs. He made the Pro Bowl as a Bronco in 2008 but was part of the reason the Broncos’ running game didn’t do much down the stretch in 2009. Jordan, a journeyman running back, didn’t make much of an impact during his one year in Denver, amassing a grand total of 86 rushing yards.