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State court grants immunity to Amanda Williams in March 2022 assault case
Summary
Judge Tammy Long Hayward granted immunity from prosecution to Amanda Williams after a hearing on a March 30, 2022 altercation; the judge found Williams' account that she acted to protect herself and her household outweighed the state’s conflicting account.
A Clayton County State Court judge granted immunity from prosecution Monday to Amanda Williams after a contested hearing over a March 30, 2022 physical altercation at Williams’ home.
The ruling followed testimony from Williams, who said the other woman, Jessica Deshaun Morris, advanced rapidly toward her on the front porch; Williams said she pushed Morris away to protect herself and her young son, and that Morris then got on top of her and struck her repeatedly. Morris testified that Williams struck her head against a brick wall and that she then defended herself. Gregory Michael Cook, a witness for the defense, described Morris as withdrawn and upset during the period when she lived with Williams.
Prosecutor William Tipton argued the conflicts in the two accounts — particularly the accounts about who initiated force and whether a child was present — were material and should be resolved by a jury. Defense counsel, Mr. Lynch, told the court Williams’ testimony, together with other evidence, met the preponderance standard required for immunity because Williams acted to protect herself and a child.
After listening to testimony from both sides, the court said the evidence showed Williams’ actions were reasonable under the circumstances and that she had acted to defend herself and others. The judge described the wider context of Morris’ life, and urged Morris to seek counseling, then granted the defense motion for immunity. The judge directed counsel for the defense to prepare the written order.
The courthouse record shows the case number as 2023CR05711. The judge’s order ends criminal prosecution on the charged offenses to the extent the order grants immunity for the force used on the date in question; the court left open the possibility that other procedural or appellate steps could follow.
The ruling removes Williams from further prosecution on the charges alleged to have arisen from the March 2022 incident; the state said it may review the ruling and may appeal. The judge also commented about the broader circumstances of both women’s lives and encouraged counseling and support services for the witness who testified about prior trauma.
No trial on the underlying charges will proceed while the immunity ruling stands; the defense will file the court’s order as directed.
