Justice Court Judge Bill Weisenberger of Madison County has been indicted on a charge of simple assault involving a confrontation that he allegedly had with a mentally disabled man in which the judge was accused of striking Eric Rivers, a 20-year-old African American, and yelling “Run, ni**er, run.” The alleged assault occurred at the Canton Flea Market on May 8 of last year where Weisenberger was working as either a security guard or a traffic monitor (accounts differ).
Witnesses have said that Rivers was asking vendors for tips to help load and unload their vehicles.
Weisenberger voluntarily stepped down from the bench but is continuing to receive his annual salary of $47,500.
If convicted, Weisenberger could face up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine for the felony.
This is not the only allegation against Weisenberger (who by the way takes a cheerful mugshot). He has been accused of imposing an illegal DUI sentence against an African American in his courtroom. There is also a lawsuit filed against both the judge and the county over the arrest of an African American women on the charge of “roaming livestock.” No such charge exists.
A woman at the flea market also accused the judge of berating a female vendor in front of her and, when the vendor objected to his tone, she alleges that the judge told her to get her husband “because he didn’t take orders from a woman.” She also said that she heard the judge bragging about slapping the autistic man earlier.
Weisenberger is a Republican elected in 2011 and is a former law enforcement officer and former emergency operations director in Madison County. Notably, in Mississippi, the only requirement to be elected a Justice Court judge is a high school diploma and, if elected, courses of up to six hours of training a year.
That would seem one obvious reform for the state. A law degree would seem a reasonable condition for being a judge in any state.
Nick Spinelli
He is a racist and sexist. If some evidence can be found he’s an anti-Semite he wins the Triple Crown. Or, for Isaac, a hat trick.
Correction: 6th paragraph, first sentence. Should be, “A women “at’ the flea market.
He is a racist sexist anti Semit Pig and he is proud of his stupid self
@Paul C. Schulte – thks – in Germany the people do not have any chance to elect any judge. Its a shame, what we do over here.
thks very much Darren,
this is quite sufficent to have a broader view at that “stage”.
In Germany there is a habbit to get unpleasant critic into mental health facility, despite this critics do not suffer on mental illness as the example on Mollath proves. Are there similar habits in the US?
Thks Darren Smith, I did not know that.
Here another two links on that german case of Gustl Mollath and this brings me to questions: Is that as well common in the US, to bring plaintiffs in the psychiatry, instead to indict the offenders in case he offenders working in the institutions?
How is that organised to elect judges and if yes, which judges are entiteled to be elected by the people? Thks very much.
Here the remaining links:
http://www.dw.de/bavaria-top-court-acquits-mollath-in-retrial-of-prominent-mental-health-case/a-17853640
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/28/gustl-mollath-hsv-claims-fraud
Franz,
I will answer your second question first since it is necessary to address the first question.
The United States there are different levels for courts, each has different procedures and precedents. The US Federal Government, Each of the States/Territories, and the military courts. Judges in the federal level are appointed. The President nominates the judge and this nomination is confirmed or not by the Senate. There is a provision for lower level magistrates I believe. As for the State courts, I am more familiar with Washington State so that is the example I must use.
In our state judges are elected by the people, but municipal courts judges may be appointed.
For mental health issues there are various reasons a person may be committed to a mental health institute.
If a person is found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity by a criminal court, the person will be committed to a mental health institution as directed by the court and determined by the state department of health.
A person may also be committed by the order of a physician but I believe this requires a directive from a Superior Court. (I am not fully familiar with this procedure so I do not have much information readily available to me)
A law enforcement officer or a licensed medical staff person can commit a person to a 72 hour mental health evaluation if a person presents the risk to the safety of themselves or others by reason of a mental defect or condition and is not willing to be taken to a hospital voluntarily. This is subject to review by a mental health professional and if there no response or need to keep the person they must be released from custody.
Another form of mental health commitment occurs when a predatory sex offender is to be released from prison for a sex offense crime. Washington State has what is referred to a Civil Commitment where the Department of Corrections (Prison system) can get an order from the Superior Court to commit the person to an indeterminate time at a mental health facility as long as in the opinion of a psychiatrist, this person represents a probable risk of committing another sex offense.
For each of these types, the person committed or their lawyer can petition the Superior Court for review of their incarceration in a mental health facility and request to be released. The Judge may grant this or may decline. If the patient objects they may appeal their decision to the Court of Appeals.
Every state is different but in general this is what happens.
Again, this is not my area of expertise but it should provide you with a general idea on how it works. I invite attorneys commenting to correct or add any information to assist you.
Darren – just to confuse the issue, in states like Arizona judges in the two major counties are selected by a commission and then appointed by the governor. They run for re-election, but do not have an opponent. The vote is to reaffirm their appointment. If 51% say no, then a new judge is selected by the commission. This is the short hand version, it is slightly more complex than this.
That county has long been known as the most racist county in Mississippi, and one of the most corrupt. Miss. state narcs try to set up busts there, and they are alleged to be in corrupt cahoots with a well-known lawyer in Jackson and the sheriff and a certain judge — all working together in Canton, the county seat.
former Miss. senator “like my wig?” trent lott was palls with the corrupt lawyer
and convicted felon “Dickie” Scruggs.
see http://www.npr.org/2010/12/22/132081455/an-attorneys-fall-from-billionaire-to-inmate
One cure is for shure, the judge is now part of an official indictement. This despite the fact, that judges will be elected by the people. In Germany one can exspect – if you are going against a judge – to end in psychiatric station. Example is the Mollath case:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustl_Mollath
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/court-releases-whistleblower-gustl-mollath-from-psychiatric-ward-a-915240.html
dw.de/bavaria-top-court-acquits-mollath-in-retrial-of-prominent-mental-health-case/a-17853640
theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/28/gustl-mollath-hsv-claims-fraud
Franz J.A. Romer,
You might not have been aware but this website only allows two links per comment. If you would like the readers to see more than two, then you can use additional comments. I adjusted your original comment so that it would work this time.
William: there is a guy around here who says the no cure phrase: Ya cant cure an idjit.
I suggest the judge allow his IRS bill to add up run to about $4million, start showing up at racial incidents, and before long the disadvantaged whites of America will adopt him as their hero. There is no cure for stupid. How as this guy remained in office?
Oh Mississippi.
Paul
Feel left out, I am left out and a little right on. Perhaps the punishment should fit the crime and the threat of a crime. I am reminded of those old South Pacific movies where the European or American falls in love with the beautiful island girl, only to have the local religious nut predict that a great catastrophe will happen if the girl isn’t fed to the volcano. I think we are looking at this ISIS and Islamic nut job stuff the wrong way. Give them what they want, a really fantastic and somehow appropriate sendoff. Feed the guy to the volcano. Strap them to the rail lines. Research Edgar Allen Poe.
issac – just so you don’t feel left out.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2958266/Canadian-terror-suspect-plans-blow-Yellowstone-volcano-trigger-catastrophic-natural-disaster-U-S.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Paul
If any of the other stuff is remotely true, then the guy’s not judge material. Plus, cops stick together so perhaps this is just one more old boy in the club. Course, I could be wrong, expecting too much again.
issac – maybe this judge is ahead of his peers. There was no right to privacy for abortions until the S.C. made it up out of whole cloth. Who is to say he cannot create the charge of roaming livestock. I think we have that law here in Arizona.
Paul
Well the people got what they wanted, Arizona common sense. Sounds like that old joke where the judged convicted the black guy who was hit by a white driver sending him through the windscreen, of breaking and entering. Except it’s not funny and it’s still going on. There’s nothing right about this, regardless of how far out there you are.
issac – it appears that there were four grand juries that decided their was no crime. The rest is all piling on.
That’s just terrible.
On the judicial reform thingie: that is a big NO. Justices of the Peace in Arizona have the same requirements and they have them for a reason. The citizens want someone with common sense to settle their small issues, not some Stanford grad.
On this particular issue. Evidently it was before 4 other grand juries before they found one that would give them a true bill.
Justice Holmes: Yes.
Why on earth is this man smiling? Is he proud of the charges?
Nick
I’m sure he’ll get that third point one way or another. Local government by locals or that may be locos. Kind of gives one a peek into some areas of the world.
He is a racist and sexist. If some evidence can be found he’s an anti-Semite he wins the Triple Crown. Or, for Isaac, a hat trick.
Correction: 6th paragraph, first sentence. Should be, “A women “at’ the flea market.
If accurate (and who of us relies on the impartial reporting of the MSM anymore?), this is a horrific story.
To sum up the column, Mr. Weisenberger is a former cop, current judge, and all around A-hole.