Howard Hawk Willis Murder Trial Delay Upsets Chrismer Family

Teresa ChrismerThe latest postponement in the death penalty trial of a Chickamauga, Georgia man accused of killing two Walker County teens raises questions about the legal process.

The long delayed trial was scheduled to begin yesterday.  Teresa Chrismer, the mother of Adam Chrismer, wants to know why this case continues to linger.  She can't get closure.  "Every time there's a court date or a trial date, I try to prepare myself... its an emotional rollercoaster ride," says Chrismer.

Adam Chrismer & Samantha LemingPolice arrested Howard Hawk Willis shortly after the discovery of Adam's head and hands in a Northeast Tennessee lake.  Days later, authorities found more remains, including the body of Samantha Leming, in a storage facility.  While Leming has been laid to rest, Adam still hasn't been buried.  "Get it to trial, get it over with, so I can get his body back and the family can move on," Chrismer says.

Howard Hawk WillisFor ethical, personal, and other reasons, some nine attorneys have either been fired or quit Willis' legal team.  Earlier this year, Judge Lynn Brown ruled Willis would have to represent himself.  But last week, just days before trial, an appeals court stepped in, delaying the case once again while it decides if Willis has the skills needed to handle his own case.  Chrismer says "I want Judge Brown to get this over, cause I think he has the power to do it.  When somebody like Willis can run the courtroom and run things just the way he wants them, we all screwed."

Now, Chrismer waits again for justice... something she's starting to believe has nothing to do with the law.  "Who's hands is it in? And I kick myself in the tail because I think you know its really up to God, you know... but God you're not working fast enough."

Chrismer wanted to share her ordeal in hopes other victims won't have to go through the same thing.

Willis returns to court in December for a status report, but a ruling from the appeals court may not come until spring.