Pubdate: Mon, 15 Jul 2002
Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)
Copyright: 2002 Las Vegas Sun, Inc
Contact:  http://www.lasvegassun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/234

CHANGES SOUGHT IN APPEAL BY WILLIAMS

Attorney Says Mistakes Made In Oral Arguments

CARSON CITY -- The attorney for Jessica Williams, who was convicted in the 
highway deaths of six teenagers in 2000, is asking the Nevada Supreme Court 
for permission to file an additional brief to correct "numerous untruths 
and misrepresentations" made during oral arguments in her appeal.

The court heard arguments June 25 for one hour and under normal 
circumstances the case would be under submission without additional briefs 
being filed.

John Watkins, Williams' attorney, ordered a tape recording of the arguments 
and now says it is necessary to make corrections to misstatements he and 
prosecutors made.

Watkins submitted his proposed additional brief, but it is not public 
record until the court accepts it.

The 23-year-old Williams is serving an 18- to 48-year term for the deaths 
of the teenagers, who picking up trash along Interstate 15 as community 
service for minor juvenile offenses.

Watkins told the court in oral arguments Williams was the victim of double 
jeopardy and the law on driving after using marijuana was invalid.

But Deputy District Attorney Bruce Nelson characterized the arguments by 
Watkins as "sound and fury" and holding "zero" constitutional weight.
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