Bishop Joseph Walker Sex Lawsuits All Dismissed By Judge
The Tennessean reports:
Former church member Valencia Batson had sued Walker, Mt. Zion and several other ministers earlier this year for alleged sexual abuse.
Many church leaders have called the allegations ridiculous in the past and Walker’s attorneys argued that the statute of limitations had passed for most of Batson’s claims and that some of the other claims in the suit were improperly filed.
At a hearing Thursday morning, Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Brothers granted a motion to dismiss the suit against Walker.
“That means the charges against Walker are gone,” said his attorney Bob Boston, of the law firm Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis.Walker said in a statement Thursday afternoon that he was thankful for the judge’s decision.
“I am grateful to the Lord and grateful to the judge for the ruling that properly dismisses these allegations against me and my beloved Mt. Zion church,” he said. “After all the negative publicity as the other side appeared determined to try, and re-try, all of this in the media, it is obviously gratifying that the case against me has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning that it is over.”Congregation members at Mt. Zion are also pleased with Thursday’s ruling, said Lawrence Washington, spokesperson for Mt. Zion. Washington said dealing with the lawsuit had been difficult for the church.
“Now all the accusations against the bishop and the original allegations against Mt. Zion have been dismissed,” he said in a statement. “Our faith has sustained us, and the life of our church remains strong.”
Judge Brothers also granted nonsuits against Jerry Luren White, general overseer of fiscal management at Mt. Zion, and the Rev. Michael E. Williams, pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville.
That means both are dismissed from Batson’s lawsuit but, unlike Walker, could be sued in the future.This may be victory on one hand and if he didn't do anything wrong, Hallelujah; but what about all of the alleged mishandling of church funds? All of this came out when the sexual misconduct allegations arose. Will that be dismissed as well? We shall see.
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