Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Williams v. State

The defendant failed to prove her ineffective assistance of counsel claim, since she could not show that the alleged deficiencies prejudiced her defense and that there was a substantial likelihood that the outcome of the trial would have differed absent the deficiencies.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

After a jury trial, Lisa Michelle Williams was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,1 two counts of cruelty to children,2 and one count of possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.3 She appeals the denial of her second amended motion for a new trial, contending that she received ineffective assistance of counsel. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

Viewed appropriately,4 the evidence, which includes Williams’ testimony and a video recording filmed with the victim’s cell phone, shows Williams twice shot Zekkenya Johnson, who was unarmed. Johnson, who was shot in the stomach, leg, and hand, has undergone eight surgeries, and has experienced other medical problems related to the shooting. Two of Johnson’s three minor children were in the home during the shooting. One of the children, who saw Williams with the gun, said, “You shot my mom.” Williams admitted that she was carrying a gun and that she shot Johnson. She argued that she acted in self-defense because she believed that Johnson had asked an adult friend, who also was present, to retrieve her shotgun. The friend testified that no one in the house touched the shotgun, and Johnson testified that she never received it. The jury acquitted Williams of nine charges in a fourteen-count indictment, including an acquittal on one charge of attempted murder.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Director of Legal Affairs

WittKieffer is proud to partner with Mom's Meals in the search for their Director of Legal Affairs. Mom's Meals is an investor-owned compan...


Apply Now ›
Trial Attorney Personal Injury.

Nutley Law firm concentrating in plaintiff's personal injury for plaintiff seeks an Attorney with three or more years of experience in New J...


Apply Now ›
MID-SENIOR LEVEL EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATE OR PARTNER WANTED FOR BOUTIQUE FIRM OPPORTUNITY TO INHERIT AND GROW PRACTICE (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, an outstanding boutique litigation firm based in Atlanta, is seeking to add an experienced Employment Litigation Attorney to the...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements