Amity's former Town Manager, Darrell Williams finally shows up for court - late.

Former Amity Town Manager Darrell Williams' case was scheduled on the September 24, 2008 morning docket, however; when his name was called - no one stood up, not even a lawyer.

Williams, 53, the former Town Manager of Amity had been indicted on one count of theft by unauthorized taking of over $10,000 of the town's funds. The indictment alleges the incident took place between 2005 and April 2007 and that Williams did "commit theft by obtaining or exercising unauthorized control over money, property of the town of Amity, of a value of more than $10,000, with the intent to deprive the town of Amity of property."

Arriving at the District Courthouse on School Street a little before nine a.m. and assuring the court officers that I did not possess a knife, leatherman type tool, or scissors; I was allowed in the courtroom. (I had removed my sewing scissors with the dangerous 1/2 inch blades from my purse before leaving home.) I chose a seat in the back of the room with a clear view of everyone. I looked all around but did not see Williams. More people arrived, then the parade of orange jump-suited prisoners were led in and seated in the front. Still no Williams.

Earlier in the morning, Larry Hamilton had called Selectman Joe Ledger to remind him of the court date and Ledger said he would be there, possibly a little bit late, but he would be there. Then Hamilton called Town Manager Margaret Frye to remind her and suggested she call the other two Selectmen to be sure they knew it was the court day.

Court convened about nine a.m. and the judge explained that he would call the cases and if anyone wanted to change their plea, now was the time. His Honor began reading the cases in alphabetical order, he got to about the letter I when Selectman Ledger came in and sat beside me. We waited patiently for him to get to the letter W.

Williams still was not present when his name was called and no lawyer stepped forward for him. As the judge read the charges against Williams, a very unhappy look came over his face. He shook his head and ordered bail to be rescinded, an arrest warrant to be issued immediately and for Williams to be held without bail.

After Selectman Ledger and I left the courthouse, he told me that Williams had hit a moose while delivering newspapers this morning. Williams now delivers the Bangor Daily News on a route that includes Amity. Amity's former Town Manager is now it's paperboy.

I returned to the court room and reported this information to both District Attorney Neale Adams and his assistant District Attorney Pat Gordon. Adams asked me if there were any injuries. I replied none that I had heard about. Adams only remark was, "There is still no excuse for not calling and notifying the court; if he could not call himself, then someone should have called for him."

Update: About 5:30 p.m., Selectman Ledger called to say he had been informed that Williams had shown up during the afternoon session, with a lawyer in tow. According to Ledger's information Williams attempted to make a plea agreement. The only agreement the judge was interested in was full restitution to the town. Williams declined to accept the judge's offer and Williams next court date is to be scheduled for around December 15th. 

I feel that our Selectmen and as many citizens as possible should come to the next court date in December. We need to put a face on this case. We need to show the court who the real victims of this alleged crime are - we the citizens who trusted him, partly because of his profession as Pentecostal preacher, we the taxpayers of this town who paid our taxes in good faith, we are the neighbors that became victims of Williams greed. So please consider coming to the next hearing, if the Judge sees the Town officials care and the townspeople care - perhaps the case would be taken more seriously.