Texas judge gets a warning over beating video

The seven-minute, 35-second video is dated 2004 and was purportedly posted by his daughter, Hillary Adams, for acquiring music and games on internet sites her parents disapproved of, according to a note attached to it. less The seven-minute, 35-second video is dated 2004 and was purportedly posted by his daughter, Hillary Adams, for acquiring music and games on internet sites her parents disapproved of, according to a note ... more Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Texas judge gets a warning over beating video 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

BROWNSVILLE — The Aransas County family law judge last year seen beating his then-teenaged daughter in a YouTube video can return to the bench after he was issued a “public warning” by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Judge William Adams has been on paid leave since November, when daughter Hillary Adams posted her secret recording of the lashing, which occurred in 2004 in her bedroom after she'd illegally downloaded music videos. She was 16 at the time.

In terms of severity, a public warning is a step below a reprimand and two steps below advising removal.

“The commission acknowledges that Judge Adams was not aware that he had been secretly videotaped, and that he was not the person who released the videotape on the Internet,” stated the decision, released Tuesday. “However, because Judge Adams regularly presides over and decides child custody, child abuse, and family violence cases, his private conduct did cast public discredit upon the judiciary and the administration of justice.”

The commission cited a March 12, 2012, letter from Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Howard Baldwin directing Aransas County Attorney Richard Bianchi to “take action to prevent Judge Adams (from) hearing Child Protective Services cases.”

The commission also called out Adams for apparent bullying.

“Ten witnesses, including at least eight of the attorneys who practiced regularly in Judge Adams' court, also described a pattern in which Judge Adams displayed anger and poor judicial demeanor toward certain attorneys appearing in his courtroom.”

Still, the commission noted, all of the 15 local lawyers interviewed praised him for being fair and knowledgeable of the law. Six said they were supportive of his returning to the bench. It was unclear in the ruling when or if he would.

The approximately seven-minute video of Adams striking Hillary with a belt at least 17 times drew millions of Web hits, and put Hillary and her mother, Hallie, on the national talk show circuit.

Hallie Adams, who appeared to encourage the beating, divorced from Judge Adams in 2007. She also claimed to be a victim of his abuse.

Neither Hallie nor Hillary Adams could be reached for comment on the commission's action. Hillary, who frequently tweeted on the matter, had not addressed the ruling as of Thursday evening.

Adams has maintained his daughter posted the video to get back at him for threatening to take away her Mercedes Benz and reduce his financial support.

His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Because the statute of limitations for child abuse cases had expired, the video could not be used in the criminal charges.

The media maelstrom prompted the commission to open an investigation, and Adams agreed to a paid suspension in the meantime.

Each year, the commission — a 13-member panel of six judges appointed by the state Supreme Court, two lawyers appointed by the state Bar, and five citizens appointed by the governor — receives 1,200 to 1,400 complaints against judges.

Adams has 30 days to appeal the decision, and can request the Texas Supreme Court lift his suspension, Aransas County Attorney Richard Bianchi said.

Until that happens, family court cases will continue to be handled by visiting judges. While the state has picked up the bulk of visiting judges' pay, the approximately 25,000-population county has had to absorb between $8,000 and $10,000 of their travel and unmet per diem expenses.

County Attorney Bianchi, who initially characterized the video as “very disturbing,” said Thursday that should the Supreme Court reinstate Adams, county officials have no authority to remove him.

County Judge Burt Mills, who in November said he was “having a hard time believing that (Adams) can recover from this,” on Thursday was taking a wait-and-see approach.

“I understand he has up to 30 days to make up his mind whether he's going to appeal their decision, or what. From there I don't know. If he comes back to work, we go back to work, simple as that,” Mills said.

Asked if he was satisfied with the Commission's findings, he said, “I'm not going to comment on that.”

Adams is up for re-election in 2014.

lbrezosky@express-news.net