New Trial Date Set For Sean Williams

A new trial date has been set in the child pornography case of Sean Williams. On Thursday in Federal Court in Greeneville, Judge Ronnie Greer set Williams’ trial date as October 22. That trial was supposed to begin on August 27, but problems with representation for Williams has led to the trial being delayed. Four attorneys have been assigned to Williams, and all four have opted out citing difficulty in working with their client.

Williams had to represent himself in a recent escape trial in July. Judge Greer noted Williams’ lack of legal expertise could him in a much more serious case, such as the child pornography charges.

On Thurday, noting that the stakes are very high for Williams in the upcoming case, Greer appointed Mark E. Brown of Knoxville as Williams’ new attorney…his fifth. In his appointment of Brown, Greer stated that given the “reams of digital forensic evidence and expert-witness testimony,” that are involved in a case like this, it’s a daunting challenge for a defendent, much less one trying to defend himself.

Sean Williams is facing three counts of inducing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. He faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison for each of those charges.