ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – [UPDATE AT END OF DAY – OCT. 29]: One of two counts in the trial of a former Monroe Comprehensive High School teacher, Audrianna Cobb-Williams, has been dismissed.
Originally, Cobb-Williams faced two counts of sexual contact by an employee or agent, but after jurors were dismissed for the day, the defense argued a motion to have one count dismissed. The judge ruled in the defense’s favor, agreeing that there was no legal basis for the count.
A total of five witnesses took the stand on Oct. 29, including Jaquan Maddox. He is a former student with whom Cobb-Williams is accused of having inappropriate contact.
The defense asked Maddox if he remembered saying that Cobb-Williams would have had to pay him $1,000 per week for “all of this to go away.”
Below is Maddox’s response:
Maddox: “Where’s the recording?”
Defense: “Are you alleging you didn’t say that?”
Maddox: “Where’s the recording?”
Defense: “Answer my question.”
Maddox: “I’m not going to change my answer.”
The defense then asked for the jurors to be removed from the courtroom in order to show Maddox a recording the defense had of Maddox allegedly saying that. After the video was played between the judge, the state, Maddox and the defense, the jurors were brought back in.
They continued:
Defense: “Mr. Maddox, you were able to hear that audio correct?”
Maddox: “Yes sir.”
Defense: “Was your memory refreshed?”
Maddox: “Yes sir.”
Defense: “So, is it true you told individuals on that recording that if Mrs. Williams wanted this to go away, she would have to pay you a band per week?”
Maddox: “Yes sir.”
Defense: “In fact, is it true that you stated you was really gone tax her a** for real don’t you?”
Maddox: “Yes sir.”
Defense: “But then you said it’s too late now, right?”
Maddox: “Yes sir.”
Defense: “And another reason you stated that was because the money was going to run out at some point, right?”
Maddox: “I mean, yes sir.”
Defense: “So, how long did you plan on taxing her?”
Maddox: “50k!”
Trial is scheduled to continue at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.
WALB will continue to provide updates throughout this trial. Stay with us.
[OCT. 29’s ORIGINAL ARTICLE]:
Former Dougherty County teacher trial underway for alleged sexual contact with student
The trial for former Dougherty County teacher Audrianna Cobb-Williams began this week with the state presenting evidence in a case alleging sexual contact with a student.
Cobb-Williams faces two counts of first-degree sexual contact by a school employee or agent for alleged incidents that took place in 2023.
The state delivered opening statements on Monday, while the defense reserved its opening statements for later in the trial. Prosecutors argued that Cobb-Williams “turned what was supposed to be a professional connection into something deeply inappropriate.”
“He was a child. She was the adult who knew exactly what she was doing. She used her authority and her influence to take advantage of that trust,” the state said in opening statements.
First witnesses take the stand
Following opening statements, the state called its first witness, a Dougherty County Schools school resource officer, to the stand. The state presented what they alleged was a picture of Cobb-Williams and a student possibly kissing as their first piece of evidence.
The second witness was the former principal of Monroe Comprehensive High School at the time of the allegations. His testimony differed from the school resource officer’s account. The former principal said that while he could identify Cobb-Williams in the photo, he could not identify who the other person was.
Following a third witness, the mother of the student that the state is accusing Cobb-Williams of inappropriate contact with took the stand, testifying about a number of things.
Including screenshots of several conversations between her and her son. Where her son is asking for permission to go places with Cobb-Williams outside of school.
The state and defense asked the mother if she thought that was suspicious, but the mother stated no. They also asked her about the first interview her son had with police following the allegations surfacing.
State: “In the beginning of the interview, can you tell the ladies and gentleman of the jury what was your son’s demeanor at the time?”
Mother: “Aggravated, upset, scared, he didn’t want to be there talking to the police.”
State: “At the beginning of the interview did he keep denying?”
Mother: “Yes ma’am.”
State: “At some point did he tell the officers what took place?”
Mother: “Yes ma’am.”
State: “Did he tell the officers what took place between himself and the defendant?”
Mother: “Yes ma’am.”
State: “And in this interview with law enforcement did your son tell officers about general sexual contact between himself and the defendant?”
Mother: “Yes.”
The trial follows a week of pre-trial proceedings that included arguments to suppress evidence and jury selection.
Former Dougherty County teacher trial underway for alleged sexual contact with student
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