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Possible re-trial for mother convicted of starving son

Posted at 12:32 AM, Jun 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-06-20 00:32:22-04

Richmond, Va. (WTVR)--The outpouring of support continues for the Richmond mom convicted of starving her son to death.

The mother faces up to 45 years in jail convicted for starving her son to death. Now she wants another chance to state her case.

There's an online petition underway and dozens of Richmonders showed up to court demanding a new trial for Ashley Williams.

"We're not going anywhere until we see that justice is done,” City councilman Marty Jewel, 5th District, said. He believes this overwhelming support for Williams has left an impact.

A Richmond judge agreed to consider a re-trial, even though Williams already plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child abuse charges in her son's death.

This comes after another judge rejected Williams’ request for a new attorney and trial on Friday.

"He knows I got good eyes,” said Jewell.

The judge who rejected Williams’ initial request said the trial has been continued by the defense too many times and is interfering with the court's schedule.

However, supporters say Williams’ case represents a larger problem with the city's judicial system.  

"There’s an assembly line of plea agreements and certain attorney's coerce or however their clients to plead instead of them having their day in court,” King Khalim Salfani said.

Williams' sister said she was never called up to testify and evidence wasn't revealed in court to show that Desean actually suffered from a hereditary disease that appears to affect young boys in their family.

“My son is still sick to this day dealing with a lot of medications and everything else and the same thing could have could happened to him that happened to my nephew.”

A judge will decide in mid-July if Williams can get a re-trial.