Judge enforces deadlines in Essex shooting trial

BURLINGTON, Vt.—A Chittenden County judge says he will stick to the schedule in the Essex shooting trial, preventing the defense from adding an expert to testify that Christopher Williams was insane at the time of the 2006 rampage.

Prosecutors are trying to stop Williams, who is accused in the shooting that left two dead and two wounded, from using the insanity defense.

On Friday, Judge Geoffrey Crawford gave the defense 15 days to respond to the state's motion.

Defense attorney Margaret Jansch has named the 29-year-old Williams of Essex and a Burlington psychologist as potential witnesses.

After failing to meet multiple deadlines about their intent to seek the insanity strategy, Williams' lawyers last week proposed a third witness, a White River Junction psychologist.

But Crawford ruled Friday that the defense could not call that witness, maintaining the schedule for a summer trial.

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Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com