A two-term state senator from Rutland County pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault Wednesday afternoon after police say he struck a family member in the face Monday evening.
Sen. Terry Williams, 74, allegedly assaulted the female victim after an argument in the kitchen of his Poultney home, according to a police affidavit. Vermont State Police Trooper Caden Lockwood said the victim had a “reddish colored abrasion starting at her left eyelid and down her face to her cheek” when he interviewed her Tuesday evening.
Lockwood said the victim reported she received the injury when Williams struck her with what she believed was an open hand.
Williams, who was arrested, jailed and later released on a $500 bond, denied the charges in Vermont District Court in Rutland City Wednesday afternoon. His lawyer, Toni Dutil, briefly spoke to media after the hearing. Williams stood silently at her side with two unidentified family members who accompanied him to the hearing.
“Sen. Williams is not guilty of the alleged offense. We look forward to defending this charge vigorously,” Dutil said. “It’s important to note that family dynamics can be complicated, and despite Sen. Williams’ position, he is not immune to that reality.”
Williams did not respond to reporters’ questions.
Williams is a Republican serving in the three-seat Rutland County district who is seeking reelection. According to an Oct. 19 Facebook post by A Stronger Vermont, a super PAC funded by the Republican Governors Association, Gov. Phil Scott has endorsed Williams’ reelection bid.
Emma Shouldice, spokesperson for the Scott campaign, said the governor “was completely surprised and troubled after learning this news.
“He takes domestic violence very seriously and has no tolerance for that type of behavior,” Shouldice told Vermont Public.
Asked whether Scott was rescinding his endorsement, Shouldice said, “He will assess the situation further once additional details are available.”
Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck issued a written statement Wednesday saying that Senate Republicans are aware of Williams’ arrest.
“We are not aware of any details beyond the VSP report and will make no comment at this time,” Beck said.
Vermont Republican Party Chair Paul Dame also declined to comment Wednesday morning.
Judge Alexander Burke struck Williams’ bond and released the defendant on conditions, including that he not contact the alleged victim or witnesses in the case.
Police say the alleged victim, who lives with Williams, first contacted them approximately 24 hours after the alleged assault. She told police they got into a “shouting argument” after she tried to apologize for a bale of moldy hay.
She told police that she believed Williams, a farmer, had consumed alcohol prior to the incident. Windsor County State’s Attorney Ward Goodenough, who’s prosecuting the case, asked Burke to condition Williams’ release on him not drinking alcohol.
Burke denied the request.
“There’s no indication from the trooper that Mr. Williams was otherwise impaired,” he said.
Williams told troopers Tuesday that the argument between him and the alleged victim began over “pallets in the horse barn,” and escalated when he said he wanted her to move out of the residence.
According to the affidavit, Williams said after the alleged victim moved toward him, he “put his left hand up and pushed his left hand out” and, in the process, made contact with the right side of the alleged victim’s face.
He told police the victim did not have scratches on her face when she left the house. Police say Williams said he injured his left ring finger in the altercation; police say Williams’ finger was “swollen by the palm and the joint.”
Police say the alleged victim left Williams’ residence and went to nearby family members after the incident. Police say she sent one of those family members a text message prior to leaving, saying that Williams “hit me.”
