Tom Brands Testifies at Williams Trial

[ideamark]

The latest from "the paper that Iowa depends on" -- posted at approximately 2:40 EDT at the Des Moines Register website

desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060815/SPORTS/60815029/1003

Iowa wrestling coach Brands testifies in Williams trial

By TOM WITOSKY
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


August 15, 2006



Iowa City, Ia. — Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands testified today that he saw no change in the relationship between former Hawkeye assistant coach Joe Williams and former wrestler Jason D'Agata in the weeks subsequent to Williams' alleged exposing of himself to D'Agata's girlfriend.

Williams, 31, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic wrestling team, is accused of indecent exposure, stemming from a November 2003 incident in which he allegedly attempted to have a sexual encounter with D'Agata's girlfriend, Melissa Greazel.

Brands, who was an assistant coach on Iowa's staff in 2003 with Williams, was one of two defense witnesses called to testify this morning in Williams' indecent exposure trial.

"I saw no problem in their relationship," Brand said in testimony in Johnson County District Court. "It appeared to me Coach Williams and Jason had a good relationship during that period. He was confident with Joe as his coach."

The trial, which began Monday, appeared likely go to the jury this afternoon.

Williams has denied intentionally exposing himself to Greazel and claims that he is the victim of accusations from D'Agata, who was unhappy he was not in Iowa's starting lineup.

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.

In his testimony, Brands said he met with D'Agata in mid to late January 2004, during which D'Agata complained about an incident involving Williams and Dreazel.

"Jason was very upset and said that he didn't like that Williams had received a back rub from (Greazel) when he wasn't at their apartment,'' Brands said.

Brands' testimony would appear to contradict clamis made in testimony Monday by D'Agate and Greazel that she never offered or provided Williams with a back rub.

Defense lawyers said during the noon-time break they were deciding whether or not to allow Williams to testify.

Greazel and D'Agata said they have filed civil claims amounting to more than $1 million, but insisted they are seeking justice, not compensation. The Register's policy is to not name alleged victims of sex-related crimes unless they agree to be identified or file a lawsuit.

[johnfuller]

Very surprised that Tom would testify given what he is already dealing with at Iowa.

Also, we are starting to see two sides of the story now. D'Agata basically said he didn't know about it at first cause his girlfriend was too embarrassed (which would explain a lack of a strained relationship), but Joe and Tom say different.

Curious to see if Joe testifies or not.

[Wiltz]

I think in this case if you are guilty of something you try to plead it out to a lesser charge. I don't know about you but, I wouldn't want to end up on a sexually offender registry. You couldn't find a place to live in most Iowa cities. Des Moines has a 2000 ft rule sexual offenders cannot live within 2000 feet of a school, library or preschool. Leaving virtually no place for them to live in a city like Des Moines, Iowa City or Cedar Rapids.

[ideamark]

Wiltz,

From what I've read about the sexual offender situation in the state of Iowa, it may be actually worse than you described...

... that just about EVERY community within the Hawkeye State has set up incredibly strict rules about where a registered sex offender may live that pretty much prelude a person with that status from residing in many -- if not most -- small towns. Let alone the principal cities like DSM, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport. (In fact, if I remember correctly, the areas where a sex offender could legally reside in Cedar Rapids were limited to a couple "motel rows")

I suppose a farm would be an option.

Then again, if Joe Williams is convicted of the charges as they are, I would assume his coaching career would be over. I mean, wouldn't he be viewed as "damaged goods" by any university or community school?

Mark

PS I'm really surprised -- and disappointed -- this case is getting so little coverage in the general media. (At least what I can find online.) I mean -- I have found NOTHING at the Iowa City Press-Citizen website, the hometown paper where the trial is taking place.

Think about it: A guy who was once an assistant at one of the pre-eminent college wrestling programs in the US, a three-time NCAA champ, an Olympian and one of only 15 men to be named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team is up on very serious charges with very serious consequences... and it barely gets covered. I would have thought this would be the stuff of Court TV and sensational TV tabloid shows.

[ideamark]

ideamark said:

I mean -- I have found NOTHING at the Iowa City Press-Citizen website, the hometown paper where the trial is taking place.

I stand corrected. I just found a story from the IC paper, and posted it in the "Williams Case Goes To Jury" thread, since that was the point of the story.

[Burns When I Pee]

ideamark said:

Wiltz,

From what I've read about the sexual offender situation in the state of Iowa, it may be actually worse than you described...

... that just about EVERY community within the Hawkeye State has set up incredibly strict rules about where a registered sex offender may live that pretty much prelude a person with that status from residing in many -- if not most -- small towns. Let alone the principal cities like DSM, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport. (In fact, if I remember correctly, the areas where a sex offender could legally reside in Cedar Rapids were limited to a couple "motel rows")

I suppose a farm would be an option.

Then again, if Joe Williams is convicted of the charges as they are, I would assume his coaching career would be over. I mean, wouldn't he be viewed as "damaged goods" by any university or community school?

Mark

PS I'm really surprised -- and disappointed -- this case is getting so little coverage in the general media. (At least what I can find online.) I mean -- I have found NOTHING at the Iowa City Press-Citizen website, the hometown paper where the trial is taking place.

Think about it: A guy who was once an assistant at one of the pre-eminent college wrestling programs in the US, a three-time NCAA champ, an Olympian and one of only 15 men to be named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team is up on very serious charges with very serious consequences... and it barely gets covered. I would have thought this would be the stuff of Court TV and sensational TV tabloid shows.

Its the power of BRads/Gable that keeps it out of the major press.