Post by matratsx4 on Aug 16, 2006 14:32:50 GMT -5
www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060816/SPORTS/60816020/1003&lead=1
Jury acquits Joe Williams of indecent exposure
August 16, 2006
Iowa City, Ia. — Former Iowa assistant wrestling coach Joe Williams was acquitted this afternoon of a charge of indecent exposure.
An eight-man, four-woman jury at the Johnston County Courthouse returned the verdict at about 2 p.m.
Williams’ chief accusor, Melissa Greazel, broke down into tears as the verdict was read.
At 10:30 a.m., the jury informed District Court Judge Stephen Gerard of its inability to reach a unanimous verdict. Gerard ordered the jurors to continue deliberations. The jury received the case late Tuesday afternoon and resumed discussions at 9 a.m. today.
Williams, 31, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team and three-time NCAA champion at Iowa, was accused of indecent exposure - a serious misdemeanor - stemming from a November 2003 incident. If convicted, Williams would have faced up to one year in county jail, a $1,500 fine and a requirement to be listed on the state’s sex offender registry.
Greazel and former Iowa wrestler Jason D’Agata accused Williams of visiting D’Agata’s apartment late on Nov. 14, 2003, when Greazel — D’Agata’s girlfriend — was there alone.
Greazel testified that Williams attempted to have a sexual encounter with her, but that she refused. She also testified that at one point she found Williams on the apartment floor nearly naked and fondling himself.
Williams — through his lawyers — denied Greazel’s account of the incident, but acknowledged he visited her to talk about D’Agata’s problems on the wrestling team. Williams’ lawyers claimed that Greazel provided a massage to Williams and ended it when he inadvertently exposed himself through his boxer shorts.
Jury acquits Joe Williams of indecent exposure
August 16, 2006
Iowa City, Ia. — Former Iowa assistant wrestling coach Joe Williams was acquitted this afternoon of a charge of indecent exposure.
An eight-man, four-woman jury at the Johnston County Courthouse returned the verdict at about 2 p.m.
Williams’ chief accusor, Melissa Greazel, broke down into tears as the verdict was read.
At 10:30 a.m., the jury informed District Court Judge Stephen Gerard of its inability to reach a unanimous verdict. Gerard ordered the jurors to continue deliberations. The jury received the case late Tuesday afternoon and resumed discussions at 9 a.m. today.
Williams, 31, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team and three-time NCAA champion at Iowa, was accused of indecent exposure - a serious misdemeanor - stemming from a November 2003 incident. If convicted, Williams would have faced up to one year in county jail, a $1,500 fine and a requirement to be listed on the state’s sex offender registry.
Greazel and former Iowa wrestler Jason D’Agata accused Williams of visiting D’Agata’s apartment late on Nov. 14, 2003, when Greazel — D’Agata’s girlfriend — was there alone.
Greazel testified that Williams attempted to have a sexual encounter with her, but that she refused. She also testified that at one point she found Williams on the apartment floor nearly naked and fondling himself.
Williams — through his lawyers — denied Greazel’s account of the incident, but acknowledged he visited her to talk about D’Agata’s problems on the wrestling team. Williams’ lawyers claimed that Greazel provided a massage to Williams and ended it when he inadvertently exposed himself through his boxer shorts.
