Judge disqualifies himself in Williams hearing

Posting for Keith T. Barber...

Forsyth Superior Court Judge William Z. Wood recused himself on Monday from presiding over former Winston-Salem police Detective Donald R. Williams’ response to a summons issued by the Winston-Salem City Council. Wood cited his thorough knowledge of the 1995 Silk Plant Forest-Jill Marker assault case and Williams’ role as lead investigator as one reason for his decision. Wood suggested Williams’ attorney, Carl Parrish, and Assistant City Attorney Al Andrews consider placing the matter on the court docket of Superior Court Judge Lindsay R. Davis Jr. Andrews said he and Parrish had agreed to put the matter before a judge in early April, but the two sides would most likely find common ground outside the courtroom. The city attorney’s office has to respond to court documents previous filed by Parrish, Andrews said. In the court documents, Williams makes several claims, including a charge that the Silk Plant Forest Citizen Review Committee has gone beyond its scope by “attempting to determine the guilt or innocence of one Kalvin Smith.” On March 17, the citizen review committee adopted a resolution stating there was no credible evidence to link Kalvin Michael Smith to the Marker assault. The committee met again on Monday evening, and Chairman Guy Blynn said it had come to the committee’s attention that there might be an continuing relationship between Williams and the Forsyth County District Attorney’s office.