By Michael Phillips
“I don’t even know how to do a subpoena. I don’t know how to do anything.” — William H. Sewell
Introduction: The Trial That Was Never Meant to Be Fair
For most people, a multi-day family court trial—where the custody of their child and their entire future is at stake—comes with legal counsel, discovery, strategy, and time to prepare. For William Sewell, it comes with none of that.
Just weeks before his final custody hearing, William lost his last attorney. Now, alone, broke, exhausted, and confused, he faces off against a well-connected legal machine intent on destroying him.
This is not just a story about one man fighting for his daughter. It’s about how the court system sets certain parents up to fail before they even step inside the courtroom.
His Attorney Quit—And Left a Trap Behind
William’s last attorney, Bill Clifford, was a former Navy JAG officer who had been paid thousands of dollars. But two to three weeks before the final hearing, Clifford walked away—and filed paperwork asking the court not to allow any continuances.
The judge, Michael Murphy, signed it.
Now, William is expected to represent himself at trial with no legal knowledge and almost no time to prepare.
No Representation, No Knowledge, No Tools
William doesn’t just lack representation—he lacks even the most basic understanding of trial procedure.
“I don’t know how to question witnesses. I don’t know how to cross-examine. I don’t know how to file anything.”
Attorneys he spoke with told him that a week or two is not enough time to prepare for a final custody hearing. But that’s all he has. And he has no help.
He Still Doesn’t Have His Case File
Even worse, William doesn’t even have access to his own case file. Clifford has it. William is trying to retrieve it—but fears he’ll be charged an obscene amount for copies. And even if he gets it?
“I don’t know what to do with it. I don’t even know what I’m looking for.”
Without discovery or access to the evidence, there’s no way he can adequately prepare to defend himself or present a case.
Broke, Defenseless, and Under Threat of Jail
William has spent everything he had on three attorneys who he says failed him. He is now on SNAP benefits. He has no funds to pay for an educational evaluation of his daughter, to print trial exhibits, or to consult an expert.
He even emptied a piggy bank to print documents for court.
He’s been ordered to pay $6,000 to the Guardian ad Litem by Monday—or face jail. He doesn’t have it. He has already spent what little he had trying to defend himself.
No Delay, No Relief, No Support
In a desperate attempt to delay the trial and seek time to prepare, William went to urgent care hoping to get a medical note attesting to the stress and anxiety that had left him sleepless and unable to function.
The doctor refused. They didn’t want to get involved.
The system is moving forward—full speed into trial—even though William is clearly not prepared, not represented, and not well.
Serious Accusations. Zero Legal Training.
At a prior hearing, false accusations were hurled at William: that he was an alcoholic, drug user, abuser, and deadbeat.
These allegations helped strip him of custody in the temporary order.
Now, he’s expected to defend himself from these same accusations at trial—without an attorney, without understanding how to object or cross-examine, and with his evidence (drug tests, support receipts, photos) largely ignored.
Too Much Advice. None of It Clear.
In the days leading up to trial, William is receiving advice from multiple people—activists, advocates, and legal-minded friends. But their strategies conflict.
Some tell him to bring up his ex-wife’s alleged neglect. Others say it will hurt him. Some suggest filing more motions. Others say the judge won’t care.
This flood of competing information leaves William paralyzed.
Emotionally and Mentally Drained
William isn’t just under-prepared—he’s emotionally destroyed.
- He hasn’t slept in days.
- He’s losing weight.
- He’s on the verge of a panic attack every time he tries to prepare.
- He’s trying to avoid jail, fight for custody, respond to threats, and sort legal filings all at once.
This is the kind of pressure that would buckle a seasoned attorney. For William, it’s a spiral.
A System Designed for His Defeat
William believes the game was rigged from the start.
The clerks won’t help. The GAL is silent. The judge signed an order to block delay. His ex-wife’s attorney, Donnie Gamache, is allegedly connected to the sheriff, the judges, and the DSS.
Everyone he turns to—even his former allies—back away when Donnie’s name comes up.
“It’s a mafia. If you’re not on the inside, you don’t even matter.”
Conclusion: This Isn’t a Trial. It’s a Railroading.
What William faces isn’t due process. It’s ritualized punishment dressed up in court decorum.
He has no attorney.
No case file.
No money.
No preparation time.
And no idea how to survive what’s coming.
And unless something changes—unless someone steps in—he may lose the one thing he was trying to protect all along: his daughter.
📣 Stay tuned for Part 12: “Justice Under Siege: What We Can Do to End Family Court Corruption.”
All claims in this article are based on the personal experiences and allegations made by William H. Sewell. This article includes opinions and reporting based on interviews, court documents, and publicly available information. Donnie Gamache and any other named parties are presumed innocent of any wrongdoing unless proven otherwise.
The Republic Dispatch 