Judge is indicted for allegedly striking mentally disabled man at flea market
A Mississippi judge has been indicted on a charge of simple assault on a vulnerable person, based on an alleged incident in which he is accused of striking a mentally disabled man and yelling a racial slur.
Justice Court Judge Bill Weisenberger of Madison County surrendered last Thursday and was released on $10,000 bond, report the Jackson Free Press, the Clarion-Ledger, WAPT News and a press release. Above the Law noted news coverage.
The incident occurred last May at a flea market where Weisenberger was working; news reports differ on whether he was employed as a security guard or as a traffic monitor and parking attendant. Witnesses had alleged Weisenberger struck a 20-year-old mentally disabled man who was asking vendors for tips to help load and unload their vehicles. The witnesses also claimed Weisenberger yelled, “Run, [N-word], run.”
Weisenberger’s lawyer, Bill Kirksey, said in a statement that Weisenberger cooperated in the investigation and “continues to deny any wrongdoing or the commission of any crime against any person.” Kirksey said four grand juries had convened before the case was presented by the attorney general’s office, which is handling the case after the local district attorney recused himself.
Weisenberger voluntarily stepped down from the bench but is continuing to receive his annual salary of $47,500.
