by Dick Hall-Sizemore
It is not just national Republicans that appear ready to tear into each other. A couple of Virginia Republicans have also been at it.
Wren Williams is a first-term Republican Delegate from Patrick County. Marie March, also in her first term, is a Republican delegate from next-door Floyd County. The redistricting has placed them in the same district.
Last September, after a Republican meeting in Wytheville, March was standing with a group of people when Williams, according to her, “slammed into me.” She was able to brace herself to keep from falling. Moments later, she said, “I heard him mutter, ‘oh, sorry,’ from a distance.”
March felt that the collision was intentional on Williams’ part and filed a criminal complaint of misdemeanor assault against him.
At the trial earlier this month, Williams’ attorney admitted to “a touching,” but contended it was accidental. The Commonwealth’s Attorney, based on witness testimony, argued, “The bottom line is it was an unwanted touching that was purposeful. We have met our burden to prove it was assault and battery.” The judge ruled that there was not enough evidence to prove that contact between Williams and March in a crowd of people was intentional.
Speaking to reporters after the trial was over, Williams called the accusation against him “a political hit job.”
All this should make for interesting dynamics in the Republican House caucus meetings in the upcoming session.
Note: I am indebted to The Roanoke Times for this story.
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