Post by ideamark on Aug 17, 2006 9:05:26 GMT -5
FROM THE WRESTLING WRITER FOR THE IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN...
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Thursday, August 17, 2006
Jurors acquit wrestler
Ex-Hawk cleared of exposure charge
By Andy Hamilton
Iowa City Press-Citizen
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Former Iowa wrestling star Joe Williams was acquitted Wednesday afternoon of a charge of indecent exposure stemming from an incident that clouded the coaching and competitive career of the Olympian and ex-Hawkeye assistant for nearly three years.
Williams expressed relief after the eight-man, four-woman jury returned the verdict shortly before 2 p.m. in Johnson County District court, while his primary accuser broke down into tears.
The 31-year-old husband and father of two was accused of exposing himself to Melissa Greazel, the girlfriend of former Hawkeye wrestler Jason D'Agata, in November 2003.
Williams would have faced up to a year in jail, a $1,500 fine and a requirement of being listed on the state's sex offender registry if he had been convicted.
"It's something you can't really describe," Williams said. "Every day and night you're thinking about some of the decisions you made, some of the things you've done and how you can correct those. Everything never seems to be enough. You can't prepare for anything like this. I'm still going to dream about it and wake up in the middle of the night from here on out."
The jury received the case Tuesday afternoon and informed associate district court Judge Stephen C. Gerard II on Wednesday morning that it was unable to reach a unanimous ruling. Gerard ordered the jury to continue deliberations.
"Obviously we're disappointed in the verdict," assistant Johnson County Attorney Anne Lahey said. "We felt that it's contrary to the evidence, but we know that the jurors have a difficult duty in finding somebody guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Unfortunately, we believe that these actions will continue. And we applaud the courage of the victim in trying to do everything she could to try to stop it from happening to someone else again. All you can do is your best to try to avoid that from happening again."
The defense questioned the motives of D'Agata and Greazel, arguing that Williams was the victim of claims made by a wrestler looking to force his way into Iowa's starting lineup and is now seeking a large settlement in a civil suit. Defense attorney Matt Boles of Des Moines pointed out that D'Agata and Greazel have filed a civil suit, each seeking $500,000 in damages from Williams and the University of Iowa.
When asked if the prosecution's chances of getting a conviction in the criminal case were hindered by the pending civil suit, Lahey said: "I believe it obviously didn't help our case."
Williams is one of six wrestlers in Iowa history to win three NCAA titles. He compiled a 129-9 record with the Hawkeyes and spent four seasons on the Iowa coaching staff. His tenure with the Hawkeyes ended when he announced his resignation Feb. 6, 2004, saying in a University-released statement that he wanted to make sure he did everything he could to "realize my dream of winning a gold medal" at the Athens Games.
The trial began Monday with the prosecution claiming that Williams tried covering up his departure from the Iowa coaching staff after school officials were notified of the allegations that he exposed himself to Greazel on Nov. 14, 2003, in an effort to spark a sexual encounter.
Greazel was alone at D'Agata's apartment when the alleged incident took place. The prosecution claimed Williams went there to discuss D'Agata's status with the team before the conversation turned sexual. Greazel asked Williams to leave and went into the bathroom. When she returned, she found Williams on the floor, exposing himself.
The defense maintained that Greazel gave Williams a massage and he inadvertently exposed himself through his boxer shorts.
Charges weren't filed in the case until Feb. 15, 2005 -- a gap the defense attributed to D'Agata's attempt to use the allegations to regain a spot in Iowa's starting lineup in his final season of eligibility.
"I'm just really relieved, thankful," Williams said. "I'm happy after years of being in a holding state that things are resolved and the jurors saw fit that there was no crime committed."
Williams said he thinks the legal issues have damaged his chances to gain another coaching position "to some degree." He said his first priority is spending time with his family, the people Williams said have been "instrumental in keeping me sane these last couple years."
Williams said the ordeal has taken its toll on his family. His recent results suggest the legal matters have taken a toll on his wrestling performance, as well.
Williams was a bronze medalist at the 2005 freestyle World Championships and hadn't lost to another American in six years prior to the U.S. Open in April. But Williams lost in the 163-pound final at the U.S. Open and followed that up by going 0-2 in May at the World Team Trials in Sioux City.
"Usually before competition or a meet, you're just thinking about going out and wrestling," he said. "These last few years, I've had a lot of other things to focus (on) other than wrestling. This has been a lot more important, so my career has taken a backseat, and it has reflected that in my last competitions, just not being motivated and able to put in the time and training to focus on my wrestling as I should've been."
Williams said he's uncertain if he will continue his competitive career and the quest for a World or Olympic title that has eluded him.
"Right now I don't know if I have any energy left to do that," he said. "My ultimate goal is I would like to be able to. I think that's a decision my wife and I and my family will have to make."
Reach Andy Hamilton at 339-7368 or ahamilton @ press-citizen.com.
www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/HAWKS0110/608170321/1053/NLETTER03
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Jurors acquit wrestler
Ex-Hawk cleared of exposure charge
By Andy Hamilton
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Reader services
E-mail this story...
Print this story...
Subscribe to newsletter...
Comment on this story...
Subscribe to newspaper...
ADVERTISEMENT
Former Iowa wrestling star Joe Williams was acquitted Wednesday afternoon of a charge of indecent exposure stemming from an incident that clouded the coaching and competitive career of the Olympian and ex-Hawkeye assistant for nearly three years.
Williams expressed relief after the eight-man, four-woman jury returned the verdict shortly before 2 p.m. in Johnson County District court, while his primary accuser broke down into tears.
The 31-year-old husband and father of two was accused of exposing himself to Melissa Greazel, the girlfriend of former Hawkeye wrestler Jason D'Agata, in November 2003.
Williams would have faced up to a year in jail, a $1,500 fine and a requirement of being listed on the state's sex offender registry if he had been convicted.
"It's something you can't really describe," Williams said. "Every day and night you're thinking about some of the decisions you made, some of the things you've done and how you can correct those. Everything never seems to be enough. You can't prepare for anything like this. I'm still going to dream about it and wake up in the middle of the night from here on out."
The jury received the case Tuesday afternoon and informed associate district court Judge Stephen C. Gerard II on Wednesday morning that it was unable to reach a unanimous ruling. Gerard ordered the jury to continue deliberations.
"Obviously we're disappointed in the verdict," assistant Johnson County Attorney Anne Lahey said. "We felt that it's contrary to the evidence, but we know that the jurors have a difficult duty in finding somebody guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Unfortunately, we believe that these actions will continue. And we applaud the courage of the victim in trying to do everything she could to try to stop it from happening to someone else again. All you can do is your best to try to avoid that from happening again."
The defense questioned the motives of D'Agata and Greazel, arguing that Williams was the victim of claims made by a wrestler looking to force his way into Iowa's starting lineup and is now seeking a large settlement in a civil suit. Defense attorney Matt Boles of Des Moines pointed out that D'Agata and Greazel have filed a civil suit, each seeking $500,000 in damages from Williams and the University of Iowa.
When asked if the prosecution's chances of getting a conviction in the criminal case were hindered by the pending civil suit, Lahey said: "I believe it obviously didn't help our case."
Williams is one of six wrestlers in Iowa history to win three NCAA titles. He compiled a 129-9 record with the Hawkeyes and spent four seasons on the Iowa coaching staff. His tenure with the Hawkeyes ended when he announced his resignation Feb. 6, 2004, saying in a University-released statement that he wanted to make sure he did everything he could to "realize my dream of winning a gold medal" at the Athens Games.
The trial began Monday with the prosecution claiming that Williams tried covering up his departure from the Iowa coaching staff after school officials were notified of the allegations that he exposed himself to Greazel on Nov. 14, 2003, in an effort to spark a sexual encounter.
Greazel was alone at D'Agata's apartment when the alleged incident took place. The prosecution claimed Williams went there to discuss D'Agata's status with the team before the conversation turned sexual. Greazel asked Williams to leave and went into the bathroom. When she returned, she found Williams on the floor, exposing himself.
The defense maintained that Greazel gave Williams a massage and he inadvertently exposed himself through his boxer shorts.
Charges weren't filed in the case until Feb. 15, 2005 -- a gap the defense attributed to D'Agata's attempt to use the allegations to regain a spot in Iowa's starting lineup in his final season of eligibility.
"I'm just really relieved, thankful," Williams said. "I'm happy after years of being in a holding state that things are resolved and the jurors saw fit that there was no crime committed."
Williams said he thinks the legal issues have damaged his chances to gain another coaching position "to some degree." He said his first priority is spending time with his family, the people Williams said have been "instrumental in keeping me sane these last couple years."
Williams said the ordeal has taken its toll on his family. His recent results suggest the legal matters have taken a toll on his wrestling performance, as well.
Williams was a bronze medalist at the 2005 freestyle World Championships and hadn't lost to another American in six years prior to the U.S. Open in April. But Williams lost in the 163-pound final at the U.S. Open and followed that up by going 0-2 in May at the World Team Trials in Sioux City.
"Usually before competition or a meet, you're just thinking about going out and wrestling," he said. "These last few years, I've had a lot of other things to focus (on) other than wrestling. This has been a lot more important, so my career has taken a backseat, and it has reflected that in my last competitions, just not being motivated and able to put in the time and training to focus on my wrestling as I should've been."
Williams said he's uncertain if he will continue his competitive career and the quest for a World or Olympic title that has eluded him.
"Right now I don't know if I have any energy left to do that," he said. "My ultimate goal is I would like to be able to. I think that's a decision my wife and I and my family will have to make."
Reach Andy Hamilton at 339-7368 or ahamilton @ press-citizen.com.
