The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Evangelist Juanita Bynum said in an interview on the television show "Divorce Court," that she battled depression and thought of suicide after she split with her husband over spousal abuse.
Bynum told Judge Lynn Toler, who presided over the Fox TV show, that she was reluctant to talk about her struggles as a victim of domestic violence because she was embarrassed and thought it could end her career in ministry.
Bynum's marriage was not on the docket for "Divorce Court," another couple's was, but she gave Toler advice. Toler interviewed Bynum before the handling of the case. Bynum watched the proceedings from Toler's chambers so she could minister to the couple later.
"Suicide crossed my mind, jumping out of the window crosses your mind," said Bynum, whose husband, Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III, attacked her in a parking lot. "I felt hopeless."
Judge Toler asked Bynum whether there were signs of trouble early in her marriage to Weeks. Bynum said she had left several times and even filed for divorce three years ago, but decided to stay married to Weeks to work things out.
A spokesman for Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III said he too was asked to go on, "Divorce Court," but declined the offer.
Meanwhile, Bynum told Toler she will probably "always love" Weeks but she is ready to move on.
