ATLANTA (FOX 5) — Grand jurors said there was enough evidence against Bishop Thomas Weeks, III to move forward with four charges. Weeks has been accused of a violent attack on his TV evangelist estranged wife, Juanita Bynum.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard spoke out about the case for the first time Friday.
Investigators said a bellman at the Renaissance Hotel near the airport, pulled Weeks off of his wife during the attack last Tuesday.
The bellman, who only wanted to be referred to as “John,” is being called a hero by Bynum’s family and prosecutors.
“He not only saw what happened, he was brave enough and we really have to thank him for intervening,” said Howard.
Howard said it was Bynum’s persistent cries for help that got the bellman’s attention.
“The screams got louder as he approached, he was able to see a woman on the ground and she was being kicked and stomped. He then said the woman said, ‘He’s trying to kill me.’ He went over and grabbed the person doing the kicking. It turned out be Mr. Weeks and even as he grabbed him the kicks continued,” said Howard.
Howard said the bellman is a solid witness who not only heard Weeks threaten to kill his wife, Juanita Bynum, but who also saw Weeks flee the scene.
Howard also said that is why a Fulton County grand jury indicted the 40-year-old bishop on charges on aggravated assault, terroristic threats and two misdemeanor counts of simple battery.
“This case involved a violent stomping and kicking with shoes. And shoes when used in the manner they were used in this case, constitutes aggravated assault,” said Howard.
Weeks’ attorney had no comment Friday but has said in the past that there was more to the case that has not yet been revealed.
The district attorney’s office is moving forward with the charges with the blessings of Bynum.
“We’ve had conversations with her over the past several days and that’s why we’re moving forward,” said Howard.