Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Lancaster man says he will plead guilty to beating Amish Mafia star

11.26.13

Imir Williams charged with attacking Esther Schmucker

A 24-year-old Lancaster man said Tuesday he intends to plead guilty to viciously beating a star of hit television series "Amish Mafia."

A local district judge ordered Imir R. Williams on Tuesday morning to stand trial on misdemeanor counts of simple assault and stalking regarding the Oct. 31 attack in Strasburg.

However, Williams said in court that he will plead guilty to those charges. Afterward, his attorney said a plea agreement has been worked out.

Williams waived Tuesday's preliminary hearing in exchange for police reducing the original felony aggravated assault charge.

Esther Schmucker, who plays the female lead on the Discovery Channel series, sustained a broken broken cheekbone, a broken nose and broken teeth in the early morning beating, police allege.

Williams and Schmucker were a couple at the time; Williams was staying at Schmucker's house, according to officials.

District Judge William Benner — much to Williams' chagrin — also kept Williams at Lancaster County Prison on $250,000 bail.

Williams pleaded with the judge to allow him to spend the holidays with his family.

"This could be the first year that I have Thanksgiving with my family," he said.

Benner refused to lower bail, saying he had concerns over Williams' history of abuse against Schmucker and others.

"The underlying conduct hasn't changed," Benner said.

Williams was visibly upset.

"Look what she's done to my life," Williams said in court. "Why would I want anything to do with her? Look what she's done to me."

Schmucker was at the courthouse and prepared to testify, prosecutor Janie Swinehart told the judge. She didn't appear in court.

Swinehart argued that bail should stay as is, because Williams is potentially a threat to Schmucker and a potential flight risk.

"The defendant seems to be a violent man with somewhat of a short fuse," Swinehart told the judge. "There is a big risk he could leave Lancaster County."

Williams scoffed several times as Swinehart and other court officials spoke.

He told the judge he will plead guilty.

Defense attorney Christopher Tallarico said a plea agreement has been arranged to be presented in Lancaster County Court at a later date.

"This is crazy," Williams said at one point. "This is nuts, man.

"I am already pleading to stalking. How can I stalk my girlfriend again?"

source

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