Judges are expected to maintain dignity in their courtroom. They are expected to be objective. They are not expected to scream at people.
Putnam County Family Court Judge William M. “Chip” Watkins, III, apparently didn’t get that memo.
In a tirade caught on a courtroom camera, May 23rd, 2012, Watkins screams at Hurricane Bible Church Pastor Arthur D. Hage, because Watkins says his home was vandalized afterPutnamLIVE.com published an article where Watkins threatened freelance reporter Lawrence J. Smith. This was because Smith was attempting to question Watkins about a letter from his homeowner’s association listing him as “Not in good standing.”
Near the beginning of the video, Watkins says, “Mr. Hage if you say one word out of turn, you’re going to jail.” Then Watkins starts screaming. However, Watkins did not send himself to jail even though he threatened Hage with jail time.
Watkins then rants and rages about the picture of his house. “A picture of my home, on the front page, SHUT UP! DON’T EVEN SPEAK,” Watkins screams. “My wife is disabled and you.. you disgusting piece of …”
Watkins claims his home’s windows were broken and that it was vandalized after the picture was posted on PutnamLIVE.com. He holds Hage personally responsible.
“You put a picture of my house because of you, because of you, my house has been vandalized four times. Do you realize that? I’m sure you’re probably in on that laughing about it,” Watkins rants.
However, Pastor Hage had nothing to do with that article, and did not take the picture of Watkins’ home.
Watkins also ordered Hage’s chauffer Paul D. Bentley out of the building. After a court bailiff gives Watkins a description of Bentley, Watkins is heard sarcastically asking, “Did you bring along a comedian, Mr. Hage?” Pastor Hage quietly replies “He’s my chauffer, sir,” Watkins snidely replied “He’s your chauffer.”
At that point, Watkins asked the bailiff, “Did you put him out of the building?” When the bailiff said “Not yet judge,” Watkins said, “Out of the building. I want him out of the building right now. If he smiles, I want him in here to answer what’s so damn funny.”
Bentley filed a complaint with the West Virginia Judicial Investigative Commission against Watkins.
As far as responsibility goes, had Watkins paid his homeowner’s association dues, and, had he not threatened reporter Lawrence J. Smith, PutnamLIVE.com would not have published any article with a photo of Watkins’ home. He has lived in his subdivision for more than a decade, so PutnamLIVE.com wonders how he forgot when the payment was due.
In 2011, Watkins sent PutnamLIVE.com Publisher Mark Hallburn a letter saying Hallburn was accused of being “the south end of a horse facing north.’ We invite you to view this video and determine, for yourself, if Watkins has any room to make such an accusation about someone else.
Hage was in court, along with his former wife, Lillian, who claims Arthur abused her and their daughters, in December of 2010. Pastor Hage denies those claims.
Family Court judges enjoy the protection of excluding the media from their courtrooms. Some journalists feel this allows misconduct by Family Court Judges who can display unprofessional behavior without it being reported by the press.
PutnamLIVE.com obtained a copy of the courtroom video where Watkins verbally attacks Hage. We are publishing it because the public has the right to know about the conduct of government officials. Viewer discretion is advised.
If you have experienced similar behavior from any family court judges, PutnamLIVE.com invites you to obtain a video of the incident and send it to News@PutnamLIVE.com. It will then be considered for publication.
A complaint about the Watkins voicemail has been filed with the West Virginia Judicial Investigative Commission.
Watkins has repeatedly failed to return telephone calls made to his office from PutnamLIVE.com seeking his side of the story regarding multiple issues. On June 26th, 2012, PutnamLIVE.com telephoned Watkins’ home to get his reasoning for screaming at Hage. A woman said Watkins was at the grocery store. As of this publication, Watkins has not returned that call.
After PutnamLIVE.com published this article, with the video, that video and articles were published on major news sites including WVMetroNews.com, WOWKTV.com and 58WCHS.com. We will update you as this situation
