ATLANTA — A 21-year-old woman testifying in support of her mother was jailed at the end of her parents’ divorce bench trial in Georgia — on illegal orders from a judge, according to a federal lawsuit.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shermela J. Williams ordered deputies to detain Molly Dennis “without any charge, warrant, or legal authority” in October 2023, an attorney for Dennis wrote in a complaint filed in the Northern District of Georgia on October 22.
Williams was concluding the trial, delivering findings of fact and law, when she “stopped mid-sentence” and ordered Dennis to stand up, the complaint says. She then wrongly accused her of felonies related to a specific event discussed during the trial, according to the filing.
“Put Molly in custody for me,” Williams told a deputy, according to the complaint. “Show her what that cell looks like.”
Dennis, of Alabama, who was subpoenaed to testify at the trial, was placed in a holding cell between 15 and 45 minutes and “experienced humiliation, fear, and emotional distress as a result,” the complaint says.
Then she was returned to the courtroom.
Dennis is now suing Williams, who is under fire over the incident, which a state judicial commission described as an “illegal jailing.”
Following a hearing panel, in a report issued October 2, the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended Williams’ removal as judge after charging her with 31 counts of judicial misconduct in connection with Dennis and other cases she presided over.
Williams did not immediately return McClatchy News’ request for comment.
Dennis is represented by attorney Christopher Pixley, who in an emailed statement to McClatchy News on October 28 said, “The case we have filed against Judge Williams has an important premise: that every citizen should have the right to equal and fair treatment before the law.”
“If a sitting judge decides that they are the law, and not accountable to it, every other right becomes vulnerable,” Pixley added. “For that reason, the outcome of this case affects everyone.”
Dennis’ lawsuit also names Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and 10 unnamed deputies as defendants.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return a request for comment.
According to the judicial commission’s report, Dennis’ parents’ divorce was highly contentious.
During the trial, the report says, Williams repeatedly interrupted lawyers to lecture Dennis and labeled her as “Team Mom,” then later said she had “daddy issues.”
According to the judicial commission, Williams’ treatment of her made her increasingly anxious.
“My heart was racing. I was really nervous. I felt like I had said something wrong or upset Judge Williams in some way,” Dennis later testified about the trial.
During the trial, an event involving Dennis entering her father’s apartment, “with his permission,” was discussed, according to the lawsuit.
Dennis’ father accused Dennis or her mother of breaking or stealing some of his items, the report says.
Williams, while concluding the trial, brought up the incident and accused Dennis of felonies, the lawsuit says. She also threatened her with a lengthy prison sentence, according to the complaint.
Then Dennis was detained by deputies.
“Her detention was effected solely by the unlawful command of Judge Williams and the deputy’s or deputies’ compliance,” the ruling states.
Dennis told the commission that she felt “humiliated” when she was handcuffed in front of the courtroom and believed she was being arrested. In the holding cell, Dennis cried until her detention was over.
When she was brought back to the courtroom, Williams asked how she felt about being jailed, to which Dennis replied, “Horrible,” the report says. “
Judge Williams then lectured Molly regarding her behavior, the consequences of choices and her ‘daddy issues,’” the report continues.
Lawyers representing Williams in proceedings regarding her alleged misconduct said they will challenge the commission’s recommendation to remove her as a judge, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported.
Williams has since expressed that she realized jailing Dennis was wrong, according to the newspaper.
Williams said she was teaching Dennis a “lesson” and wanted to help her by scaring her, according to the commission.
“She wanted to teach Molly a lesson she was not asked, nor authorized, to teach,” the report says. “And the only lesson it taught Molly is not to trust the court system.”
Dennis is seeking an unspecified amount in damages on claims that include unlawful seizure and false imprisonment, and deprivation of liberty without due process.
She demands a jury trial.
“The public cannot have confidence in the courts unless there are consequences for misconduct by public officials,” Pixley said.
By JULIA MARNIN/McClatchy News
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