WYTHEVILLE, Va. — A Republican member of the House of Delegates was found not guilty Wednesday of physically assaulting a fellow state lawmaker during a GOP gathering last year.
Del. Wren Williams of Patrick County was acquitted of the misdemeanor charge brought against him by Del. Marie March of neighboring Floyd County, according to court records and local news outlets. The two first-term delegates are facing each other as opponents for the GOP nomination for a newly redrawn House district this year thanks to the redistricting process.
In September, March told law enforcement officials that Williams had intentionally slammed into her while leaving a gala in Wytheville.
Jimmy Turk, Williams’ attorney, did not dispute there was contact between the two but said it was accidental, the Roanoke Times reported.
A Wythe County judge ruled that the evidence fell short of proving that Williams intentionally touched March.
March told the newspaper she was disappointed but had no further comment. Williams called the accusations “a political hit job.”
