Attorney denies impairment during murder trial

A Gainesville man seeking a new trial on a murder conviction claimed his attorney was impaired by alcohol or other substances during the trial, according to court filings.

Joseph Scott Williams was convicted June 26, 2014, in the shooting of Adrian Thompson a year prior. Thompson was gunned down outside of Peppers Market in Gainesville on June 3, 2013.

Williams received a life prison sentence without the chance of parole and has since attempted to acquire a new trial.

On Oct. 1, Williams and his attorney R. Allen Hunt filed a second amended motion for new trial and listed additional grounds for why a new trial should be granted.

“Trial Attorney Travis Williams’ effectiveness as a criminal defense attorney was so impaired as a result of the consumption of alcohol or other substances, both before and during trial, that he was ineffective as a criminal defense attorney and (Joseph Williams) did not receive a fair trial as guaranteed by both the State of Georgia Constitution and the U.S. Constitution,” according to the motion.

Travis Williams first heard of this allegation when contacted by The Times. Travis Williams denied any such impairment.

“Anybody that would make that unfounded and false accusation against somebody lacks professionalism,” Travis Williams said.

An attempt to reach Hunt last week was unsuccessful, and Hunt did not return a call for comment Friday.

Joseph Williams is set to have a hearing on his new trial motion on Nov. 17.

Attorney denies impairment during murder trial

Public defenders tackle Habitat for Humanity home

As Megan Ballard settled into her new job at the Hall County Public Defenders Office in March, she felt work on a Habitat for Humanity house was an ideal way to honor her late grandfather’s wishes.

“Helping those in need defined who my grandfather was as a man,” the assistant public defender said.

So, trading in law books for hammers, Ballard joined other staffers Sunday working on a home in Hall’s first Habitat for Humanity subdivision, Copper Glen, a 21-home development off Baker Road near Candler Road/Ga. 60.

Ballard, arriving from Wilmington, N.C, began working for the office in March, the same month her grandfather, Robert Kester, died.

He bequeathed a “substantial portion of his money to his children to spend on charitable causes as they saw fit,” stated a Habitat press release.

The donation from Kester’s estate will pay for half of the building materials at a 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom home in the subdivision.

“Half a house,” Ballard said, with a smile, as wind whipped and a light rain fell across the already muddy construction site.

It also seemed a fitting tribute, given her grandfather’s upbringing.

Kester was one of 10 children, and his family struggled to make ends meet after his father died when he was 9.

He and his older siblings worked odd jobs to help the family in their home. After serving in World War II, he went on to attend Davidson College and was a successful businessman in the global furniture industry.

Habitat for Humanity works to help low-income families buy a home, but it’s hardly a handout.

The process can take up to a couple of years, from a stringent application to requiring applicants to show they can make mortgage payments. Plus, applicants must complete “sweat equity” hours, attending Habitat activities and financial and homeownership classes.

Habitat’s local executive director, Ann Nixon, applauded the public defender office for its efforts.

“We can’t get along without partnerships … of people like the Ballards, stepping up and recognizing the need and wanting to participate,” she said. “It’s what makes our program work.”

Ballard said, for her, it also made sense to involve her office in the Habitat work.

Her grandfather “was just beyond excited I was going to be a lawyer, that I was helping people and doing God’s work,” she said.

The public defender office provides a defense for people charged with felonies or juvenile offenses who can’t afford to pay for an attorney.

Evi Turk, the public defender office manager, was happy to join the efforts.

“We think this is so special and so exciting,” she said. “I’ve actually always wanted to do this — I’ve just never gotten around to it.”

Public Defender Brad Morris said volunteer service is expected in his office.

Employees “are in the schools, they mentor, they coach,” he said. “It helps the community, but it helps them know the community. It’s a good experience, I think.”

Public defenders tackle Habitat for Humanity home

Hall students may get night classes

Not every 17-year-old can afford to sit in a classroom from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.

Some have to work. Others have circumstances that prevent them from getting to school.

The Hall County School District wants to help these students.

The district is considering adding a Mountain Educational Center charter program, which would offer night classes to students who can’t make a traditional day program, most likely at Lanier Charter Career Academy.

“Our board and a number of our principals, teachers and community members are aware of Mountain Ed,” said Superintendent Will Schofield at an October school board meeting. “It’s a charter, alternative school, often for students who have fallen behind or have difficulties in their lives. These are satellites all over North Georgia, and they really have done a great job of providing alternative pathways for kids to get to graduation.”

School district communications director Gordon Higgins said the program is “efficient” in helping students who still want to graduate, but don’t really fit into the regular curriculum.

It hires adjunct instructors, often from the school or district, to work a few hours a week teaching in the program.

“There’s an awful lot of support that goes with it too,” Schofield said. “Every kid has a mentor that walks alongside them and helps them. They’ve really put together a good model over the years.”

Schofield predicted classes would be offered from 5-9 p.m. weeknights, though nothing is yet official and the district is still in discussion with Mountain Ed.

The program has 11 satellite locations throughout the state, including locations in Forsyth, Habersham, Lumpkin, Union and White counties.

“They really have a special group of folks that are working in the evening with these kids who need a little something different to get over the finish line,” Schofield said.

The district has considered adding a program in the past, and the timing could be right to open a location next fall, according to school officials.

“For years, they’ve talked to us about the possibility of a satellite in Hall County, and we are at the point now, because they are strong enough financially, that we think this is a real possibility for next year,” Schofield said.

Hall County school board member Bill Thompson said Hall students over the years have gone through the program elsewhere to be able to graduate. Offering the program locally could benefit a number of students, he said.

“It’s a good program,” Thompson said.

Hall students may get night classes

México debe conformarse con el cuarto puesto del Mundial Sub’17

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México debe conformarse con el cuarto puesto del Mundial Sub’17

El Real Madrid pierde su primer partido y queda tocado para el clásico

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El Real Madrid pierde su primer partido y queda tocado para el clásico

Neymar firma otra obra de arte

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Neymar firma otra obra de arte

Río de Janeiro entrega las obras del centro de transmisión de los Olímpicos

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Río de Janeiro entrega las obras del centro de transmisión de los Olímpicos

El Mazembe logra su quinto título y va al Mundial de Clubes

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El Mazembe logra su quinto título y va al Mundial de Clubes

Djokovic conquista su cuarto título en París y su sexto Masters 1.000 del año

El serbio Novak Djokovik se convirtió hoy en el primer tenista en ganar cuatro veces el torneo bajo techo de París, con lo que sumó su sexto Masters 1.000 del año, algo que nadie había logrado antes, tras derrotar en la final al británico Andy Murray por 6-2, 6-4 en 1 hora y 32 minutos.

Djokovic conquista su cuarto título en París y su sexto Masters 1.000 del año

La Federación portuguesa confía en que Ronaldo triunfará con la selección

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La Federación portuguesa confía en que Ronaldo triunfará con la selección