Judge returns to bench, offers polygraph results
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Despite pressure to step down, a Warren County judge accused of severely beating his former court reporter was
back on the bench Monday.
Judge Gerald Hosemann's attorney also released a statement Monday saying Hosemann passed a lie detector test clearing
him of the attack on Juanita Johnston.
Hosemann couldn't be reached Monday, but his County Court administrator and court reporter Lucretia Smith said
Hosemann heard civil cases Monday.
"Everything went well. There were no problems," Smith said.
Hosemann's attorney, Bill Kirksey of Jackson, said the lie detector test "establishes that Judge Hosemann
did not strike, kick, or cause physical harm" to Johnston.
The lie detector also showed Hosemann "does not know what caused her injuries," Kirksey said.
Johnston, who was beaten so severely she may not walk again, was found Dec. 6 on property Hosemann owns in Utica.
She said in a sworn statement that Hosemann tied her up and beat her.
Johnston, who said she had an ongoing romantic relationship with the judge, is still in the hospital.
In a statement sent out by Kirksey, David Bethea said he administered the polygraph test in Kirksey's office Thursday.
"This examination should be placed in the nondeceptive category, as there were no significant reactions that
would indicate deception," Bethea said.
Lie detector results are not admissible in court.
Hinds County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt. Steve Pickett would not talk about the test results.
"This case will not be tried in the court of public (opinion), but in a courtroom," he said.
State Attorney General Mike Moore, who has called on Hosemann to step down until the charges against him are disposed
of, could not be reached for comment.
Moore filed a complaint with the Commission on Judicial Performance asking that Hosemann be temporarily removed.
The commission forwards a recommendation of what action to take to the state Supreme Court, which makes the final
decision. No action had been filed as of Monday afternoon in the state Supreme Court.
While refusing to step down, Hosemann, who was arrested Dec. 28, has said he won't hear criminal cases for 30 days.
County Court judges also hear Youth Court cases and civil liability cases up to $75,000. Youth Court is scheduled
for Wednesday and Thursday. Smith said Hosemann won't hear any disputed cases in Youth Court, but he will handle
such things as sentencing youths.
Hosemann is scheduled to be back on the bench Dec. 15 to hear civil cases, Smith said.
