GUILTY FL - Jerry 'Mike' Williams, 31, Tallahassee, 16 Dec 2000 *Wife Arrested in 2017*

[SeesSeas]

TONIGHT:
48 Hours - CBS News
SATURDAY, DEC. 22 | 10/9c
Sneak peek: Cold-Blooded Killer
A father goes hunting in a Florida lake and vanishes. Many thought he was eaten by alligators -- but not his mother; 17 years later, stunning courtroom revelations: it was murder. "48 Hours" Richard Schlesinger has the latest in the case.

CBS' '48 Hours' to broadcast updated Mike Williams' story: 'Cold Blooded Killer'
CBS' "48 Hours" will rebroadcast its hour-long documentary, "Cold Blooded Killer," on the disappearance of Mike Williams, including the outcome of last week's murder trial of his former wife Denise Williams.

48 Hours: Cold-Blooded Killer follows investigation of Florida man's murder

 

[SeesSeas]

Here's an article on jury deliberations. Seems a 16-page love letter Denise wrote to Brian was a swaying piece of evidence. Does anyone know what year that letter dates from?

Juror: Brian Winchester's testimony was credible, Denise Williams' demeanor a factor

There wasn't a definitive date stated:
15:38 to 20:44 - State’s exhibit #19 – Letter from Denise
Date of letter?
“Wednesday 12/10; I can’t make out the last number”
“earlier than 2004”

Law & Crime Network
Published on Dec 12, 2018
Denise Williams Love Triangle Trial Day 2 Part 2 Brian Winchester Testifies

 

[SeesSeas]

He was asked about the waders etc.. during his original confession. You can hear him talk about it here just past the 9 minute mark:

Denise Williams' bail hearing

Brian Winchester testified that he dragged Mike in the water to the boat ramp. The waders, jacket, etc must have sunk in the water at that time.
Timestamp 51:30
“I reached down and I grabbed ahold of him” . . .
“I decided to motor the boat and pull him over to that landing over there, so I drug him in the water over to that dirt ramp”. . .

Denise Williams murder trial: Brian Winchester testifies about killing Mike Williams (Part 1)
Tallahassee Democrat
Published on Dec 11, 2018

 

[grillzgirl]

She is a cold, wicked woman. Brian is a murderer, but at least he has expressed remorse for his crime, even if it’s years later. I hope she never sees the light of day. And I hope her daughter realizes what a monster her mother is and that she STOLE her father from her. She is a revolting woman.

 

[Niner]

SeesSeas for the sentencing date!

and to everyone who reads here:

 

[nag]

There wasn't a definitive date stated:
15:38 to 20:44 - State’s exhibit #19 – Letter from Denise
Date of letter?
“Wednesday 12/10; I can’t make out the last number”
“earlier than 2004”

Law & Crime Network
Published on Dec 12, 2018
Denise Williams Love Triangle Trial Day 2 Part 2 Brian Winchester Testifies

The letter would be from 2003, as that's the only year where 12/10 was on a Wednesday. I was mainly wondering if it was before or after the murder. In the part they read in court Denise mentions how hard December 16/17 will be for them, which sounds like a cryptic reference to the murder rather than just the disappearance of Mike.

 

[nag]

The attorneys of Denise Williams have filed three motions for outright acquittal, a new trial, and juror interviews regarding Denise's demeanor during the trial:

Denise Williams files appeal for new trial, acquittal

 

[SeesSeas]

The attorneys of Denise Williams have filed three motions for outright acquittal, a new trial, and juror interviews regarding Denise's demeanor during the trial:

Denise Williams files appeal for new trial, acquittal

Denise Williams files appeal for new trial, acquittal
[...]
The document also points to another area of concern: The state's closing argument. It says that the state asked the jury to consider Williams' lack of emotion during the trial and asserts that Williams should be tried on the evidence presented, not her appearance.
[...]
On Wednesday, Williams' attorney filed a motion to interview six male jurors after the Tallahassee Democrat broke a story asserting that an unnamed male juror indicated that they considered Williams' "demeanor and reaction" in their verdict.

Link to PDF file of the 3 motions:
https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.tow...-11e9-a1e5-bf01b7d95560/5c23eff814b58.pdf.pdf

 

[SeesSeas]

Denise Williams files appeal for new trial, acquittal
https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.tow...-11e9-a1e5-bf01b7d95560/5c23eff814b58.pdf.pdf

 

[grillzgirl]

I hope she stays right where she is and no new trial is granted.

I wonder if her child believes she is innocent?

 

[nag]

This case invites comparison to the Jane Bashara murder where husband Bob paid handyman Joe Gentz to kill Jane and then claimed Gentz acted entirely on his own. Gentz got a reduced sentence for testifying, and the Bob Bashara life sentence stands, as the state Supreme Court rejected his latest appeal.

 

[Katharine]

I first saw this case on the show "Disappeared" and thought he would never be found . I was shocked when the next documentary indicated Denise had been arrested. I am so glad the jury found her guilty on all counts as she definitely was without any doubts. Thank you Brian for showing emotion as Mike sounded like such a nice guy who loved his daughter so much, a family man. His Mother is the true hero who constantly made sure her son was never forgotten in all those years. Bless her heart. Justice for Mike has been served. Thank you everyone who posted information on this thread.

 

[Gardenista]

Denise Williams files appeal for new trial, acquittal
[...]
The document also points to another area of concern: The state's closing argument. It says that the state asked the jury to consider Williams' lack of emotion during the trial and asserts that Williams should be tried on the evidence presented, not her appearance.
[...]
On Wednesday, Williams' attorney filed a motion to interview six male jurors after the Tallahassee Democrat broke a story asserting that an unnamed male juror indicated that they considered Williams' "demeanor and reaction" in their verdict.

Link to PDF file of the 3 motions:
https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.tow...-11e9-a1e5-bf01b7d95560/5c23eff814b58.pdf.pdf

One of the jurors made a comment to the reporter about her demeanor. This is exactly why I hate juror interviews.

 

[SeesSeas]

https://cvweb.clerk.leon.fl.us/publ.../search_by_name.asp?case_search_type=criminal
37 2018 CF 001592 A - STATE OF FLORIDA vs WILLIAMS, DENISE

Event Date Start Location Judge Result Source
MOTION HEARING 1/23/2019 1:30 PM HANKINSON JIS
MOTO INTERVIEW JURORS

Docket Date Docket Code Docket Text OR Book OR Page Source
12/26/2018 MOTN ‹‹-Req MOTION MOTION FOR JUROR INTERVIEW JIS
12/27/2018 MOTN ‹‹-Req MOTION MOTION TO TRANSCRIBE CLOSING ARGUMENTS JIS
1/2/2019 MTNS ‹‹-Req MOTION HEARING SET E-FILED: MOTION HEARING SET: 01/23/2019 01:30PM /ROOM# 3A JIS
1/3/2019 NOTH ‹‹-Req NOTICE OF HEARING Notice of Hearing JIS
1/3/2019 NOTH ‹‹-Req NOTICE OF HEARING Notice of Hearing (Amended) JIS
1/4/2019 OCRT ‹‹-Req ORDER DIRECTING COURT REPORTER TO TRANSCRIBE NOTES ORDER DIRECTING COURT REPORTER TO TRANSCRIBE NOTES JIS

 

[Niner]

for all the updates!

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, January 23rd:
*Motions Hearing (for Juror Interview) (@ 1:30pm ET) – FL – Jerry Michael “Mike” Williams (31) (Dec. 16, 2000, Tallahassee; found Dec. 9, 2017) – *Denise Merrell Williams Winchester (48/29 @ time of crime) arrested & charged (5/7/18) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder & accessory after the fact. Plead not guilty. No bond (denied 6/19/18).
Also charged (8/10/18) with 3 counts of insurance fraud. Plead not guilty. Bond set at $50K for each count.
Trial started 12/10/18 is just for Murder charges.
Her ex-husband Brian Winchester (45) was indicted (8/9/16) for kidnapping, domestic assault & armed burglary of Denise. Plead no contest (10/16/17) to plea agreement where assault charges were dropped. Sentenced 20 years in prison. They were married in Dec. 2005 & separated in 2012, divorced in 2016. 6/1/18: Brian took a plea deal with immunity & confessed to killing “Mike”.
8/10/18 Update: Williams obtained three life insurance policies totaling $1.75 million from two insurance companies following the death of her husband, Mike Williams. Court documents state Mike Williams applied for life insurance coverage worth $250,000 in February 1995 due to his recent marriage to Denise. Brian Winchester is listed as the agent for the policy. In March 2000, Mike applied for additional life insurance from a different company, with a policy amount totaling $500,000. In April 2000, Mike completed another life insurance application worth $1 million, with Winchester listed as the agent.
12/14/18 Day 5: Jury instructions. Closing arguments. Jury started deliberations at 11:30am ET. Jury ended deliberations at 7:30pm – and verdict: Guilty on all 3 charges. Case Management hearing on 12/18 to set sentencing date. Defense requests a pre-sentencing investigative report be started.
12/18/18 Update: Order granted in part defendant’s motion to exclude extra judicial statements by Winchester; order granted denying defendant's first motion in Limine; order granted defendants motion to preclude the imposition of the death penalty; order granted in part the State's motion in Limine; defendant's motion renewed re motion for judgment of acquittal & defendant's motion for new trial. Sentencing date scheduled for 2/6/19.
12/20/18 Defense files Motions for Judgment of Acquittal on each 3 charges & Motions for new trial. 1/2/19: Motions hearing for Juror interview scheduled for 1/23.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Denise Williams was back in court with her defense attorney as he filed a motion to interview the male jurors from her trial. The motion to interview the juror was officially denied.

Williams stands guilty as charged for conspiracy, accessory and the murder of her ex-husband.

Denise Williams back in court for motion hearing

 

[Niner]

So - on to sentencing on 2/6??

 

[SeesSeas]

Another MOTION HEARING tomorrow 1/25/2019:
https://cvweb.clerk.leon.fl.us/publ.../search_by_name.asp?case_search_type=criminal
37 2018 CF 001592 A - STATE OF FLORIDA vs WILLIAMS, DENISE

Docket Date Docket Code Docket Text OR Book OR Page Source
1/23/2019 CCCE CASE COMMENTS FROM COURT EVENT MOTO INTERVIEW JURORS - DENIED JIS
1/23/2019 CTCM ‹‹-Req COURT MINUTES JIS
1/24/2019 NOTH ‹‹-Req NOTICE OF HEARING AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING JIS
1/24/2019 MFNT ‹‹-Req MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL AMENDED MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL JIS

Event Date Start Location Judge Result Source
MOTION HEARING 1/25/2019 9:00 AM HANKINSON JIS
*advertiser censored* NEW TRIAL AND RENEWED *advertiser censored* JOA (1 HR)
MOTION HEARING 1/23/2019 1:30 PM HANKINSON JIS
MOTO INTERVIEW JURORS - DENIED

 

[Niner]

Friday, Jan. 25th:
*Motion Hearing (for new trial) (@ 9am ET) – FL – Jerry Michael “Mike” Williams (31) (Dec. 16, 2000, Tallahassee; found Dec. 9, 2017) – *Denise Merrell Williams Winchester (48/29 @ time of crime) arrested & charged (5/7/18) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder & accessory after the fact. Plead not guilty. No bond (denied 6/19/18).
Also charged (8/10/18) with 3 counts of insurance fraud. Plead not guilty. Bond set at $50K for each count. Leon County-can’t access. Trial started 12/10/18 is just for Murder charges.
Her ex-husband Brian Winchester (45) was indicted (8/9/16) for kidnapping, domestic assault & armed burglary of Denise. Plead no contest (10/16/17) to plea agreement where assault charges were dropped. Sentenced 20 years in prison. They were married in Dec. 2005 & separated in 2012, divorced in 2016. 6/1/18: Brian took a plea deal with immunity & confessed to killing “Mike”.
8/10/18 Update: Williams obtained three life insurance policies totaling $1.75 million from two insurance companies following the death of her husband, Mike Williams. Court documents state Mike Williams applied for life insurance coverage worth $250,000 in February 1995 due to his recent marriage to Denise. Brian Winchester is listed as the agent for the policy. In March 2000, Mike applied for additional life insurance from a different company, with a policy amount totaling $500,000. In April 2000, Mike completed another life insurance application worth $1 million, with Winchester listed as the agent.
12/14/18 Day 5: Jury instructions. Closing arguments. Jury started deliberations at 11:30am ET. Jury ended deliberations at 7:30pm – and verdict: Guilty on all 3 charges. Case Management hearing on 12/18 to set sentencing date. Defense requests a pre-sentencing investigative report be started.
12/18/18 Update: Order granted in part defendant’s motion to exclude extra judicial statements by Winchester; order granted denying defendant's first motion in Limine; order granted defendants motion to preclude the imposition of the death penalty; order granted in part the State's motion in Limine; defendant's motion renewed re motion for judgment of acquittal & defendant's motion for new trial. Sentencing date scheduled for 2/6/19.
12/20/18 Defense files Motions for Judgment of Acquittal on each 3 charges & Motions for new trial. 1/2/19: Motions hearing for Juror interview scheduled for 1/23. Motion denied.
1/23/19 Update: Another motion (for new trial) hearing on 1/25.