Joe Williams' Trial Begins In Johnson County

[ideamark]

You won't see this story at TheMat.com...

Johnson County = Iowa City

From the Des Moines Register...
desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060814/SPORTS020702/60814013/1003


Trial of ex-Hawkeye coach begins in Johnson County
TOM WITOSKY
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


August 14, 2006



Iowa City, Ia. — Former Iowa assistant wrestling coach Joe Williams was accused today of terrifying the girlfriend of a former Hawkeye wrestler by exposing himself in 2003.

Melissa Greazel was the first witness called as Williams’ trial opened in Johnson County District Court.

Williams, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic wrestling team and three-time NCAA champion at Iowa, is accused of indecent exposure after an incident at the apartment of former Iowa wrestler Jason D’Agata on Nov. 14, 2003.

Williams, who resigned his coaching position in early 2004, has denied the charges. Williams has acknowledged that he and Greazel were together on the night of the incident, but said he did not expose himself intentionally.

Ann Lahey, an assistant Johnson County attorney, said in her opening statement that Williams’ behavior not only offended Greazel, but terrified her. Lahey said Greazel had difficulty coping with the incident, and that delayed her from taking action against Williams.

Meanwhile, Williams’ lawyer, Brandon Brown, countered that Greazel and D’Agata initially attempted to use the incident to force the Iowa coaching staff to insert D’Agata in the starting lineup.

Brown also pointed out in his opening statement that Greazel and D’Agata have filed a civil suit asking for an undisclosed amount of damages from Williams and each have filed a $500,000 claim against the university.

Look for a complete recap of today’s proceedings in Tuesday’s Register.

[Wiltz]

Interesting if it comes out that they were blackmailing the Iowa coaches to have D'agata put into the line up. I wonder how they figure they can get a 1/2 million from the Univ of Iowa. Must be more to the claim than what is in the paper.

[RYou]

I wonder if Iowa considers exposure a sex crime ? Many states do and you are put on the Megans Law offenders list for the conviction for life. This might one for the plea down to a non-offender citation rather than risk a conviction for the lifetime label, even if you are innocent.

[RYou]

Sure enough -
"If convicted, Williams will face up to one year in the county jail, a $1,500 fine and a requirement to be listed on the state's sex offender registry."