Televangelist Juanita Bynum’s husband pleads guilty to assaulting her

The Associated Press

ATLANTA—The husband of televangelist Juanita Bynum has pleaded guilty to assaulting her, was sentenced to three years’ probation and then turned to her and apologized.

Thomas W. Weeks III, a minister known to his followers as Bishop Weeks, turned after his sentencing Tuesday to address Bynum, who sat in the second row of the Fulton County courtroom gallery.

“I want to apologize to my wife for all she’s had to go through,” he said.

Bynum nodded in response and quietly thanked him. The two later walked out of the courthouse together.

“They are in communication and working on their relationship and the status of their marriage,” said Ed Garland, Weeks’ attorney in the criminal case.

Prosecutors alleged that Weeks beat Bynum, a prominent televangelist whose message of women’s empowerment resonated with thousands of followers, in the parking lot of an Atlanta hotel in August.

Weeks initially pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats.

He pleaded guilty Tuesday to a single count of aggravated assault.

Weeks must undergo violence and anger counseling and complete 200 hours of community service that cannot be church-related.

He had been barred previously from communicating with Bynum, but that restriction has been lifted. His record will be cleared if he completes the terms of his sentence.

Bynum is a former hairdresser and flight attendant who became a Pentecostal evangelist, author and gospel singer. Weeks is the founder of Global Destiny churches.

The couple wed in a million-dollar, televised ceremony in 2002 and together wrote “Teach Me How to Love You: The Beginnings.”