Georgia’s media and legal communities continue to be outraged over what Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Chris Joyner calls “the bizarre and unethical behavior” of Judge Richard Winegarden. He is the senior judge who dropped felony charges against North Georgia newspaper publisher Mark Thomason and his attorney following a recent court hearing in Pickens County.
Thomason and his attorney Russell Stookey were charged with false statements and “identity theft” in their attempts to ascertain how Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver was spending taxpayer money. Advocates for a free press and transparent courts said that the charges, brought by District Attorney Alison Sosebee, were simply politically-inspired revenge by Weaver. When the flimsy indictments became known, Weaver and Sosebee backed down and asked the court to drop the charges. Winegarden, as judge, did drop them. But his conduct created yet another story that has yet to be resolved.
“The proceedings seemed unusual from the moment I entered the courthouse and was greeted by a deputy who asked if I was with the media. I was directed to the basement where I found about 15 other reporters cooling their heels outside an empty courtroom. It was 20 minutes later before I discovered the hearing actually was two floors above me,” Joyner said. The judge had deceptively kept the journalists from attending the start of an open hearing.
Furthermore, the judge later intimidated the journalists present by asking them who they were and “what they intended to do.” Of course, this targeting of the press is outrageous, according to a wide range of lawyers. They have every constitutional right to be present and record public proceedings without harassment.
After this courtroom behavior, Winegarden now refuses to give further comments.
