State supreme court justice has medical incident on bench
The West Virginia Supreme Court canceled oral arguments Wednesday after one of the justices “experienced a medical incident” while on the bench, court officials said. (Image from Shutterstock)
The West Virginia Supreme Court canceled oral arguments Wednesday after one of the justices “experienced a medical incident” while on the bench, court officials said.
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Justice William R. “Bill” Wooton was “conscious, alert and conversing with first responders” while receiving treatment, then taken to a local hospital for further evaluation, the West Virginia Judicial System posted on social media.
Wooton had been listening to the first case of the day when, as depicted on the courtroom livestream, he leaned back in his chair, his head tilted to one side. One of the attorneys arguing the case could be heard saying, “Call the capitol nurse, and call 911,” according to a story by the West Virginia MetroNews.
The state supreme court canceled its oral arguments for the rest of the day. The arguments are expected to be rescheduled.
Wooton will turn 82 later this month. He has been a member of the state supreme court since 2021.
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