(This story was updated Jan. 8, 2018, at 9:15 p.m.)
Washington County State’s Attorney Scott Williams, whose law license has been suspended after he went on medical leave in mid-November, is resigning.
The Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs made the announcement late Monday afternoon in a news release that contains the first public comments from Williams about his leave, which reportedly was for psychiatric care.
“In considering the best interests and needs of the Washington County state’s attorney’s office, its excellent staff, and the citizens of the county, I have decided to step down from my role as state’s attorney,” Williams said in the statement.
“The office cannot function efficiently under reduced staffing, particularly in light of the significant number and the complexity of cases it handles,” he added. “This decision will also allow me the time to focus on my health.”
Williams went on leave at the time of the sentencing hearing for Jody Herring, who in 2015 killed three of her relatives and social worker Lara Sobel. Williams was with Sobel when she died and had been credited with disarming Herring.
Williams was excused from testifying at Herring’s sentencing in November, after he filed a motion to quash a subpoena. He was reportedly at the Brattleboro Retreat receiving care around the time he was excused from testifying.
He had previously said he had post-traumatic stress disorder that predated the Herring murder case.
Witnesses who testified at that sentencing said they saw Herring put down the rifle after shooting Sobel in downtown Barre. That contradicted earlier reports that said Williams disarmed Herring immediately after the shooting.
Williams became state’s attorney in 2014.
He acknowledged his health care needs were affecting his job.
The release said that, “despite his awareness of PTSD, his desire to serve the community and the progress of criminal justice reform prevented him from recognizing his own health care needs, and that it was affecting his work performance.”
Also, according to the statement, “For medical reasons, Williams will not be interacting with the media.”
John Campbell, executive director of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, said he had told Gov. Phil Scott of Williams’ decision to resign, effective Monday, and the governor is moving forward with naming a replacement.
Williams “has been a dedicated public servant to Washington County and the state of Vermont,” Campbell said in the statement. “I know this was a difficult decision for him to make; however, his health has to be his No. 1 priority at this time, and I respect his decision to do what is best for his constituents.”
Rebecca Kelley, the governor’s spokesperson, said Scott has the authority to fill a vacancy with an interim appointment and will as soon as possible.
The next step, Kelley added, would be similar to replacing a legislator who steps down. The Washington County Democratic Committee will be asked to forward a list of nominees to the governor for consideration to fill out the term.
The post is up for election in November.
Williams’ law license was suspended and he was placed on disability status by the Vermont Supreme Court on Dec. 4 and “has been unavailable” in the office since mid-November, according to court filings.
The Vermont Professional Responsibility Board had also been looking into a handful of cases that Williams dismissed around the same time that defendants made payments — described as donations — to a victims fund that didn’t exist.
Williams, in an Aug. 16 written response to the board’s disciplinary counsel, Sarah Katz, wrote that none of that money has ever been spent, and he denies any wrongdoing.
Williams wrote that concerns about issuing dismissals of cases in exchange for donations to his office are a “mischaracterization of the situation.”
The Washington County state’s attorney office was in the news again last week when a judge said the office dropped the ball in a child sex case, prompting the judge to dismiss a felony charge that carried a possible life sentence.
Campbell, whose department has been assisting the Washington County office along with help from other state’s attorneys from around Vermont, said he has been working to bring that office up to full staffing. Also, Campbell said, because the judge dismissed the sex case “without prejudice,” prosecutors can refile that charge.
Rory Thibault, who works in the criminal division of the state attorney general’s office, has previously served as the chief deputy in the Washington County state’s attorney’s office.
Asked late Monday afternoon if he’s interested in the Washington County position, Thibault replied, “That’s a decision that is really out of my hands. … I would certainly be honored to be in position to even be considered to serve in that capacity.”
He added, “If leaders in this community or the governor feel I would be a good choice, I would definitely be open to that. I would hope in that capacity I would do a good job, but I’m sure there are a lot of other folks would do a great job and are compassionate about justice in our community.”
Barre Police Chief Tim Bombardier, who has worked with Williams, offered
praise for the outgoing state’s attorney.
“The pressures of dealing with the most serious criminal cases, many with horrific circumstances, can be emotionally exhausting in and of itself,” Bombardier said in a statement, “but add to that the shock and grief after the tragedy of Lara Sobel’s shooting, and it is understandable that Scott has needed to take this time off to regroup and take care of himself.”
Read the story on VTDigger here: UPDATED: Williams quits as Washington County prosecutor, citing Sobel murder.
