Viral video raises ire toward Judge Adams
November 2, 2011
Texas: On Wednesday November 2, a video that purportedly shows Arnasas County Court at Law Judge William Adams beating his daughter took off on the internet. The brutal footage was filmed in 2004, and posted online on October 27, 2011. Multiple news outlets have confirmed that Judge Adams admitted to the act, in addition to stating that "it's not as bad as it seems".[1] In the video, the judge clearly uses violence after being upset about his daughter downloading music and games online.
As the buzz around the video grew on the internet earlier today, the public began contacting the Aransas County Sheriff's Office via email and telephone. In response, the county and court posted the following on its website:
Judge Burt Mills has today announced that Aransas County is aware of the video posted on YouTube regarding County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams, and the matter is now under review by the Police Department. Please refrain from communication with County offices or the Sheriff's Department on this matter until the review has been completed. Calls, emails, and faxes only create disruptions for other ongoing county business. The public's cooperation would be most appreciated.[2]
The judge's daughter said she decided to post the video in response to her father's harassment. She also said that the violence captured was not the only act, but that "it had happened before, and had been escalating."[3] For his part in the situation, Judge Adams said that he apologized years ago.[1]
As mentioned on the county website, the Police Department has opened an investigation regarding the video. Generally, if criminal allegations are filed against a judge in the state, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct then conducts a separate investigation of the matter. Ultimately, the Texas Supreme Court has final authority over professional consequences, though the Texas State Legislature can also remove a judge from office.
UPDATE: (November 4, 2011) Police Chief Tim Jayroe announced that Judge Adams will not be charged for the act of beating his daughter, since the Statute of limitations has passed.[4]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 KRISTV.com, "Girl in Beating Video: People Believe Me Now," November 2, 2011
- ↑ Aransas County Texas website
- ↑ MSNBC.com, "Police probe alleged Texas judge beating video," November 2, 2011
- ↑ ABA Journal, "Texas Judge Won't Be Charged re Viral Beating Video, Says Daughter Posted It Out of Spite," November 3, 2011
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