Thomas Weeks, III held a press conference on Thanksgiving Eve to reiterate his innocence in the alleged August beating of his wife, Prophetess Juanita Bynum. Weeks has affectionately titled his video taped press conference 'The Time Has Come'. The video is available at www.bishopweeks.com (Click the link under their sites video player).
Pursuant to an exclusive "one-sided" Essence magazine article that he feels painted him as a villain, he is still attempting to clear his name. In his version of the story, his estranged wife hit him. He also implies that the bruises on Bynum may have been self-inflicted.
"I know what happened that night. I was there … and those marks are not from me," Weeks asserts.
Appearing on WDEF-TV (CBS-Chatanooga) Weeks' attorney said his client initially was interested in reconciliation "but at this point he understands that doesn't seem possible." "In Georgia," he explained, "you don't have to have grounds for a divorce other than one party saying 'to me, the marriage is over."
Although the Prophetess has repeatedly professed her undying love for her husband of 5 years, she told Essence magazine (Dec. 2007), "I'm not sure, not 150 percent sure that the person I saw in the parking lot that night won't ever show up again."
Despite being indicted by a Fulton County (GA) grand jury for simple battery among other charges, the Bishop denies claims that he was ever violent toward his soon-to-be ex-wife and insists that she was physically aggressive toward him that night and previously in New York.
Bynum retorted with the following statement:
"Bishop Weeks is doing exactly what he promised he would do and that is, "TRY" to destroy my name with lies, fabrications and exaggerations. His behavior is to be expected! Yet, the facts and photos that were taken by the district attorney's office of me two days later and the doctor's report from two different hospitals could not be forged nor entered into the court system as legal documents for evidence, otherwise the District Attorney's office would not have been able to pass down an indictment. When it comes to facts the courts are different from the media. In court you have to present real facts and witnesses run the risk of perjuring themselves, therefore I cordially invite all of Bishop Week's witnesses to the stand.
I am not the one on trial, therefore I have nothing to defend. How can I choke myself until the blood comes to the surface of my skin and then kick myself in five other places, one of which could not be photographed because it was in a private area [?] At this stage of my ministry/career with major projects pending, I would not have had any motive to stage my own attack and bring worldwide negative press to myself. Having been in ministry for 20 years and reaching world wide status prior to me meeting Bishop Weeks I am confident in the power of truth! I was Juanita Bynum when I walked into this marriage and I will continue to be Juanita Bynum as I exit from this marriage in spite of all false allegations that have come against my name. As I have stated from the beginning, this too shall pass!"
Bishop Weeks continues to expand his ministry, while Juanita Bynum has just released an "un-cut" DVD and is working on a new ministry for victims of domestic violence.
