After Del. Wren Williams was found not guilty, Del. For deliberately poking Marie March, she took to social media to blame the justice system for her defeat in court on Wednesday.
March, R-Floyd, twice declined to comment to the news media on Wednesday, except to say she was greatly disappointed after a judge ruled March’s attorneys had failed to willfully blame Williams, R-Patrick to prove it when political opponents clashed in a crowded Wytheville convention hall.
“March brought these indictments as a political hit job from the start,” Williams said in a written statement Wednesday. “I am grateful that March’s claims have been proven false in court, allowing this controversy to be officially settled.”
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But about two hours after the decision, March commented on her political Facebook page about doubts about the legitimacy of the two-and-a-half hour trial, in which March was represented by the Wythe County Commonwealth Law Office.
“We had 8 other additional eyewitnesses who wanted to testify about what they saw that evening,” March wrote. “The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office did not subpoena these witnesses after the judge repeatedly raised objections from the defense.”
The Wythe County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
“Judges are appointed by politicians and the swamp runs deep folks,” March wrote. “Our country is in a sad state.”
All Wythe County judges were barred from hearing the case because it involved two sitting delegates. Judges are appointed by the state legislature.
Retired Alexandrian judge Becky Moore presided over the hearing.
“March has a pattern of using the criminal justice system to target people who stand in its way,” Williams wrote Wednesday. “It was a desperate move and it’s clear March has gotten out of hand.”
About a month before Wednesday’s court hearing, March lost another lawsuit when a special prosecutor said there was no evidence the city government conspired to harm an embattled company it owns in Pulaski County.
Pulaski County officials previously said they just wanted March to get proper approval for The Big Red Barn venue, which was previously put up for sale, though that listing is no longer online. Thursday’s ownership records show that the land at 4241 Lee Highway has not changed hands.
Both Williams and March are entering the second year of their first term in the Virginia General Assembly, but only one can remain. Both were moved to the same legislative district by the Virginia Supreme Court last year.
The pair will face off again in June, this time in the Republican primary in the newly drawn Virginia House District 47.
