Terry Williams, a Republican state senator who is running for reelection in Rutland County, was arraigned on Wednesday for a charge of domestic assault.
Troopers reported to Williams’ home in Poultney at approximately 5:40 p.m on Tuesday after receiving a report that there had been a domestic assault there the previous day, Vermont State Police said in a statement. A police investigation found probable cause that Williams, 74, “had caused pain and injury to a household member.” The senator, who was first elected to the legislature in 2022, was taken into custody, processed and jailed at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility on $500 bail.
He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, less than a week before Election Day.
According to a police affidavit, Williams’ 47-year-old daughter told a state trooper that her father had hit her in the face with an open hand on Monday night during an argument about a “moldy bale of hay.”
Williams’ daughter, who Seven Days is not naming because she is an alleged victim of domestic assault, told police that her father called her “a miserable woman” and said he “should have punched you 40 years ago.” She told police she believed her father had been drinking at the time of the alleged assault.
After the altercation, Williams’ daughter went to her brother’s house next door and told him that their father had hit her. The brother observed a scratch on his sister’s left cheek, according to the affidavit. He said he subsequently went to talk to his father, who said his daughter had gotten the scratch in the “scuffle” of the argument.
Williams’ daughter, who had been living with her father, told police that this was the first time her father had physically assaulted her.
According to the affidavit, Williams confirmed to police that he had argued with his daughter “about pallets in the horse barn” and other issues. Williams said he put his left hand up after his daughter moved toward him and inadvertently made contact with her face. Williams said his finger had been injured during the interaction and an officer observed that it was swollen. Williams told the officer that he did not believe his daughter had scratches on her face when she left the house after the argument.
According to his legislative biography, Williams worked as an automotive technician and game warden and is a veteran of the Vermont Air National Guard and U.S. military. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and a member of Gun Owners of Vermont. Williams’ bio notes that he is divorced.
He is vice chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy and serves on the Senate Education Committee. Earlier this year, Williams introduced legislation that would have allowed lawmakers to carry concealed handguns in the Statehouse after completing a firearms safety and training class.
Williams is among three Republican senators in Rutland County seeking reelection. They are facing a challenge from David Wolk, an independent who previously served in the state senate as a Democrat and was the longtime president of the former Castleton University, which is now part of Vermont State University.
Gov. Phil Scott has endorsed Williams and fellow Republican incumbents David Weeks and Brian Collamore. Scott’s spokesperson, Amanda Wheeler, said the governor “was completely surprised and troubled” after hearing of Williams’ arrest.
“He takes domestic violence very seriously and has no tolerance for that type of behavior,” Wheeler said in a statement. “He will assess the situation further once additional details are available.”
Should Williams be convicted, he faces a prison sentence of up to 18 months and a fine of $5,000.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
