Judge denies Williams' request

Claire Taylor
 09-27-06

District Judge Marilyn Castle refused Tuesday to suspend the sentence of Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Chris Williams while he appeals her ruling of last Friday.

Williams' attorney, Harold Register Jr., said her decision is "a continued abuse of power" because the sentence inhibits Williams' ability to effectively represent his constituents.

One of the conditions of Williams' probation is that he refrain from "threatening" or "intimidating" councilmen or employees.

At Register's request, Castle released a letter Tuesday submitted to her by City-Parish Councilman Bruce Conque prior to Friday's sentencing.
In the letter, Conque calls Williams "a schoolyard bully who is accustomed to getting his way ..."

Earlier in the letter, Conque wrote that Williams launched a personal attack against him when he challenged a statement by Williams during the Sept. 19 council meeting.

Conque wrote that afterward, as he walked near Williams, he "threatened me by stating that I was to stay out of the affairs of his district and the Northside and that 'your a__ is mine.' "  Williams declined to comment on the allegations.

Castle had a brief hearing Tuesday to review five motions filed by Register, who was unable to attend.  At that hearing, Castle said Register's request for emergency writs to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal are not the proper legal action. Instead, Register should file an appeal, she said.

District Attorney Mike Harson, who attended the meeting at the request of Castle, agreed a writ is not the normal procedure in such cases.
An appeal to the Third Circuit could take months, Register said later Tuesday. The appeals court is required to rule on an emergency writ within 24 to 48 hours, he said.

"I'm still going to proceed," Register said. "It's up to the court of appeal to determine if they should review it as an appeal or a writ."

In his notice of intent to appeal for an emergency writ of review, Register wrote that Castle "rendered an excessive and harsh sentence, an illegal sentence and unconstitutional sentence, which is a blatant violation of his freedom of speech."

Williams ran into legal trouble when, prior to the July 5 council meeting, he wrote "Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Drive!" on the council credenza in permanent marker. Councilman Randy Menard filed a police report the next day, naming Lafayette Consolidated Government as the victim.

Williams entered a plea of no contest Friday and took "full responsibility" for the incident.

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