A Gainesville man seeking a new trial on a murder conviction claimed his attorney was impaired by alcohol or other substances during the trial, according to court filings.

Joseph Scott Williams was convicted June 26, 2014, in the shooting of Adrian Thompson a year prior. Thompson was gunned down outside of Peppers Market in Gainesville on June 3, 2013.

Williams received a life prison sentence without the chance of parole and has since attempted to acquire a new trial.

On Oct. 1, Williams and his attorney R. Allen Hunt filed a second amended motion for new trial and listed additional grounds for why a new trial should be granted.

“Trial Attorney Travis Williams’ effectiveness as a criminal defense attorney was so impaired as a result of the consumption of alcohol or other substances, both before and during trial, that he was ineffective as a criminal defense attorney and (Joseph Williams) did not receive a fair trial as guaranteed by both the State of Georgia Constitution and the U.S. Constitution,” according to the motion.

Travis Williams first heard of this allegation when contacted by The Times. Travis Williams denied any such impairment.

“Anybody that would make that unfounded and false accusation against somebody lacks professionalism,” Travis Williams said.

An attempt to reach Hunt last week was unsuccessful, and Hunt did not return a call for comment Friday.

Joseph Williams is set to have a hearing on his new trial motion on Nov. 17.