BENTON, Tenn. — 10th Judicial District Attorney Steve Bebb on Thursday admitted fault after a judge tossed him out of a courtroom during a trial in Polk County.
“I was terribly out of line and I know it. I let emotion carry me away,” Mr. Bebb said Thursday afternoon.
Presiding Judge Carroll Ross ejected Mr. Bebb from the courtroom Thursday morning after the DA confronted Tennessee Judicial Department attorney Susan Jones during the trial.
Ms. Jones, who is assisting with the conduct of the trial, reported the incident to Judge Ross. It happened while Assistant District Attorney Wayne Carter was cross-examining Mr. Waldroup. He is on trial for shooting and slashing Leslie Bradshaw and attempting to kill his ex-wife, Penny Waldroup, in 2006.
Mr. Bebb later voiced remorse for his behavior.
“Judge Ross told me he would deal with this later,” he said. “Whatever he decides, is fine.
“I think the worst thing, I feel I hurt a good friend. I know he was disappointed in me,” Mr. Bebb said.
The remarks stemmed from part of the trial in which Mr. Carter repeatedly interrupted Mr. Waldroup’s testimony, prompting Judge Ross to order, “Let him answer.”
Mr. Bebb left the courtroom and chastised Ms. Jones for not interceding with the judge, according to later descriptions of the event.
After hearing Ms. Jones’ story, Judge Ross returned to the bench. The jury was not in the room.
“I want District Attorney Bebb in here right now,” Judge Ross said.
With the jury gone for the moment, Judge Ross launched into a lecture.
“The things you yelled at her, I’m very disappointed in you,” he said. “General Bebb stormed out of the courtroom because he didn’t like what I ruled.”
Mr. Bebb responded, “I’m sorry.”
“You go to Cleveland, right now,” Judge Ross ordered, and Mr. Bebb left the courtroom immediately.
Ben Benton is a news reporter at the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He covers Southeast Tennessee and previously covered North Georgia education. Ben has worked at the Times Free Press since November 2005, first covering Bledsoe and Sequatchie counties and later adding Marion, Grundy and other counties in the northern and western edges of the region to his coverage. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Tenn., a graduate of Bradley Central High School. Benton ...
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