Willard is an unincorporated community in western Putnam County, Georgia. It is located on State Route 16 between Eatonton and Monticello. The elevation is 554 feet. Founded in 1836, Willard is a small farming community with a population of about 200. The town is located along a scenic stretch of rural land between Monticello and Eatonton. The population is primarily agricultural, but there are some industries in the area.
Willard was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2000. Before entering politics, he worked as a county attorney in Dekalb County from 1973 to 1977. He then worked as an attorney and banking trust officer, and served in the United States Marine Reserve from 1959 to 1966. He is a member of the Georgia Republican Party.
The trial court had ordered Willard to testify. When he refused to comply, the court cited him for contempt. Willard was then allowed to leave the stand. However, appellants maintain that the trial court erred in forcing Willard to take the stand and invoke his Fifth Amendment rights before the jury. The appellants’ argument essentially encompasses two separate claims: that Willard was forced to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights in front of a jury and violated his Sixth Amendment right to effective cross-examination.
