Bishop Weeks Pleads Guilty to Assault Charges - Page 2

TRFrance · #11 03-12-2008, 04:28 PM

*Not only did Bishop Thomas Weeks plead guilty Tuesday to attacking his estranged wife, Juanita Bynum, but he also offered her an apology in open court. "I want to apologize to my wife for all actions you had to go through," Weeks said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper. "I know it has been difficult. I appreciate you and I thank you."

In copping to aggravated assault, Weeks admitted that he grabbed Bynum, threw her to the ground and kicked her during an Aug. 21 altercation in the parking of the Renaissance Concourse Hotel, the paper reports.

Fulton County Superior Court judge T. Jackson Bedford sentenced Weeks to non-church related community service and anger management classes. Once he completes both conditions, the aggravated assault conviction will be expunged from his record.

Bedford shared her personal thoughts with the ministers before court was adjourned.

"I understand if not hundreds of thousands, millions of people look to you for leadership, both moral and spiritual," Bedford said to both Bynum and Weeks. "Going forward I would be mindful in your conduct in the future. Going through a divorce is a very difficult time. I know what it does to people.

"I'm very pleased this was able to be worked out. Neither of you needed to be exposed to what would have happened in the courtroom. I wish you the very best," Bedford said.

Weeks and Bynum faced reporters together outside the courthouse. Bynum said seeing her husband on Monday at a divorce deposition brought back old memories, which led her to ask the court for leniency in its treatment of the bishop.

"When I saw him it reminded me of the first time we got married," she said. "No one tells you what to do with all of the love you feel for the person."
Weeks would not say whether he and Bynum were getting back together, explaining "God is in control of all things." But he did have advice to men facing similar conflicts with their spouses, stating they should "walk away, just walk away."

TRFrance · #12 03-12-2008, 04:28 PM

Wouldn't it be something if they got back together after all this?

A happy ending might still be a possibility here.

TRFrance · #13 03-12-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

Ok I dont care for either of them one bit but do what?????????? You think he shouldnt have gone to jail for beating his wife? You are indeed disturbed if thats how you think! And second... No MAN of God beats his wife!!!!!

He was still a first time offender with no previous criminal record.

First-timers on this type of charge usually don't get jail time.

GodsBabyGirl · #14 03-12-2008, 04:34 PM

I am glad he is not going to jail....really...

Elizabeth · #15 03-12-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRFrance

Wouldn't it be something if they got back together after all this?

A happy ending might still be a possibility here.

For a moment in the videos they did look rather close..I had the same thought actually.

Elizabeth · #16 03-12-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRFrance

He was still a first time offender with no previous criminal record.

First-timers on this type of charge usually don't get jail time.

Plus the quote you gave above and in one of the youtube videos, she asked the courts for leniency.

Sister Alvear · #17 03-12-2008, 04:55 PM

I really do not know either but I do hate for things like that to happen...but things do happen...

A_PoMo · #18 03-12-2008, 04:58 PM

I hope they do get back together. Seriously, that'd be awesome. THAT would demonstrate true Christian maturity and godly leadership example.

As it stands though it reminds me of a soap opera, "As My Stomach Churns".

TRFrance · #19 03-12-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRFrance

Wouldn't it be something if they got back together after all this?

A happy ending might still be a possibility here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanie

For a moment in the videos they did look rather close..I had the same thought actually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

I hope they do get back together. Seriously, that'd be awesome. THAT would demonstrate true Christian maturity and godly leadership example.

It would be a good thing. But of course, the skeptics would claim that the whole thing was all a publicity stunt from the beginning.

SOUNWORTHY · #20 03-12-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1399

I despise what this man of God did, but I sure don't want to see him go to jail. I am disturbed by that thought.

He should go to jail and they need to throw away the key. Man of God, I wonder? Men of God don't beat their wives, in fact Men don't beat their wives. Even though my wife says she probably provoked it.