Madison Co. judge accused of racial abuse indicted
Nine months after a Madison County Justice Court judge was accused of striking and yelling a racial slur at a mentally challenged young man, a grand jury served an indictment for simple assault on a vulnerable adult.
Justice Court Judge Bill Weisenberger turned himself in to the Madison County sheriff Thursday, according to a spokeswoman with the Attorney General's office. He was released on $10,000 bond.
According to witnesses, Weisenberger struck 20-year-old Eric Rivers, an African American, and yelled "Run, n-----, run" at the Canton Flea Market on May 8 of last year.
If convicted, the charge of simple assault against a vulnerable adult carries a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 5 years imprisonment, or both. The charge against him is a felony.
"From the beginning of this matter, Judge Weisenberger, has cooperated with each law enforcement and investigatory agency that wanted to know what actually occurred at the Canton Flea Market last spring," an emailed statement from Weisenberger's lawyer, Bill Kirksey, said. "Judge Weisenberger has denied and continues to deny any wrong doing or the commission of any crime against any person."
Kirksey, along with Madison County officials, has taken issue with the slowness of the process. The incident in Canton occurred on May 8 of last year.
Kirksey said the AG's office allowed four grand juries to come and go before presenting the case.
Madison County Supervisor Karl Banks said last month the slowness was costing taxpayers as Weisenberger is still being paid his annual salary of $45,700, though he voluntarily stepped down from the bench.
A judge may only be forced to step down if he or she has been convicted of a felony or if the Supreme Court removes the judge.
A trial date has been set for June 8.
The Attorney General's Public Integrity Division is handling the case after Madison/Rankin District Attorney Michael Guest recused his office from the case.
"The law does not discriminate, and the Grand Jury has given us our marching orders," Attorney General Jim Hood stated in a press release. "We look forward to presenting the facts of this case in court."
Several additional allegations have surfaced against Weisenberger in the last year. He is accused of imposing an illegal DUI sentence against an African American in his courtroom. The Attorney General's office said it could not confirm or deny whether it was investigating that matter, though District Attorney Michael Guest said it had turned the matter over to the AG's office.
Weisenberger also had a lawsuit filed against both him and the county in November. The attorney for Charles Plumpp said Weisenberger arrested and jailed her client, who is African American, on the nonexistence charge of "roaming livestock."
Last month, Weisenberger qualified to run for re-election for his same position. He has several opponents.
Contact Kate Royals at (601) 360-4619 or kroyals@gannett.com. Follow @KRRoyals on Twitter.