The Red and Black

Issue date: 8/26/02 Section: News

Williams remained composed while the jury read each charge. But when it read the last not guilty charge, Williams openly sobbed in court. [Click to enlarge]

Emma Tobar, a law clerk who works with Brandon Williams' attorney Kim Stephens, hugs Williams shortly after hearing the not guilty verdict. Williams was acquitted on all charges Friday evening. (Keri Wiginton • The Red & Black) [Click to enlarge]

Brandon Williams embraces his attorney, Kim Stephens, after hearing the jury's verdict of not guilty. [Click to enlarge]

Brandon Williams' acquittal on charges of rape and sexual assault of a University student represented more than relief for the sophomore football player.

It also may indicate the outcomes of the trials of two other student-athletes accused of raping and assaulting the woman Jan. 14 in a McWhorter Hall dorm room, according to Steve Sadow, defense attorney for basketball player Tony Cole.

Georgia basketball players Steve Thomas, charged with rape and aggravated assault with intent to rape, and Cole, charged with aggravated assault with intent to rape, will be tried individually later in the semester.

During jury selection for Williams' trial last week, Sadow told The Red & Black that "if Brandon is acquitted, it would help my case. A conviction would embolden the state's case."

"We knew there were things that went on that were morally wrong. But, when there was a doubt, we thought it was morally wrong to ruin someone's life." DR. FARRIS JOHNSON Jury Foreman

District Attorney Ken Mauldin would not comment on the future trials but said he respected the jury's decision in Williams' case.

Sadow and Thomas' attorney Mark Wiggins couldn't be reached for further comment during the weekend.

The woman testified that she had consensual sex with Cole in his dorm room that night. She accused Williams -- who was charged with rape, aggravated assault with intent to rape and aggravated sexual battery -- of coming out of Cole's walk-in closet and raping her. She said Thomas walked in and raped her shortly afterward.

The jury deliberated for about two and a half hours and asked to watch Williams' videotaped interview with police again.

"We prayed before we began deliberation, and we prayed after we deliberated," said jury foreman Dr. Farris Johnson.

But there was enough doubt among the jury members to acquit Williams of all charges.

"We knew there were things that went on that were morally wrong," Johnson said. "But when there was a doubt, we thought it was morally wrong to ruin someone's life."

Friday night's verdict sparked strong emotions from the family and friends of Williams and the woman.

Williams broke down into tears and sobbed as the jury's decision was read.

"Probably the most compelling thing about (the woman) is her ability to lie." KIM STEPHENS Brandon William's Defense Attorney in his closing statement

The woman's family became outraged and yelled at the seven-man, five-woman Clarke County jury.

"My cousin was raped!" one man yelled.

After the verdict, Williams' attorney Kim Stephens, who did not bring any evidence against the state, said the case was "common sense."

"This case was full of inconsistencies and contradictions," he told the jury during his closing. "Probably the most compelling thing about (the woman) is her ability to lie."

Williams and his family didn't comment on the decision Friday night. But Stephens said now that the burden of facing a minimum of 10 years has been lifted off his client, Williams "can get on with his life, and it won't have any stigma."

Georgia head football coach Mark Richt said he will consult Athletics Director Vince Dooley and University President Michael Adams before making a decision about Williams' future on the team.

"All I would really want to comment on now is that I'm pleased for Brandon," he said.

-- Contributing: Anne Milligan

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