Texas Judge Won't Be Charged re Viral Beating Video, Says Daughter Posted It Out of Spite
A Texas judge who made international headlines this week after his daughter posted a disturbing video on YouTube of him beating her with a belt in 2004 will not be prosecuted.
This has nothing to do with his position as a judge; it is simply too late to prosecute, seven years after the incident, under the statute of limitations, officials in Aransas County told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
Chief Tim Jayroe of the Rockport police said Court-at-Law Judge William Adams, 51, likely would have faced charges of injury to a child had the department been informed earlier of the incident. He said the department takes the matter very seriously and is investigating to make sure no federal laws were broken but does not expect charges at this time.
Meanwhile, Adams has responded further to widespread publicity and reported comments by his daughter, who is now an adult, and his ex-wife about the incident.
In a written statement provided today by his lawyer, Adams said his daughter, Hilary Adams, who is now 23, publicly posted the video after he told her he was going to reduce her support and take away her Mercedes, reports the Associated Press.
He previously told KZTV in Corpus Christi, “In my mind, I haven’t done anything wrong other than discipline my child after she was caught stealing. And I did lose my temper, but I’ve since apologized,” reports another Associated Press article.
Hallie Adams, who was divorced from the judge in 2007, also took part in the videotaped beating of their daughter. She said she did so because she was “completely brainwashed and controlled” by her husband.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “After Viral YouTube Video Shows Texas Judge Beating Teen Daughter, Probes and Public Outrage”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge in Viral YouTube Teen Beating Video Takes Paid Leave; Court Ups Security, Cancels Jury Duty”
