Changes sought in appeal by Williams

Monday, July 15, 2002 | 10:58 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

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.