Let me describe the benefits of village leader. The village leader should, of course, be able to be trusted for one reason or another. I think that saying BEFORE the update that Ether is the poisoner, and then the update revealing the poisoner role, and Ether being lynched and turning up as poisoner makes me able to be trusted.
1. Anyone who does not claim to the village leader or has a more suspicious claim makes a good lynch candidate.
2. The village can aim their roles more effectivly, by making sure important roles are protected, the people who have more suspicious claims are investigated, etc.
3. We will not end up lynching somebody with an important role.
4. All the cop/rolecop investigations are able to be brought together to clear people/discover scum.