BENTON, Tenn. — A judge tossed 10th Judicial District Attorney Steve Bebb out of the courtroom this morning after the DA confronted a state attorney at the Davis Waldroup murder trial.
During a break in the trial, Tennessee Judicial Department attorney Susan Jones, who is assisting with the conduct of the trial, reported to Judge Ross that Mr. Bebb had confronted her in the hallway.
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. 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 came out of chambers 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 out of the room, 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 said only, “I’m sorry.”
“You go to Cleveland, right now,” Judge Ross ordered, and Mr. Bebb left the courtroom immediately. He was not immediately available for comment.
The trial continues this afternoon in Polk County Criminal court.
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