BeBe Winans: He's Exonerated from Abuse Charges (610 hits)
Reps for BeBe Winans said in a statement Tuesday that the gospel star "has been exonerated of all charges of allegations that he assaulted his ex-wife, Debra Winans." His publicists at W&W Public Relations, Inc. stated, "Judge Gloria Dumas of the General Sessions Court for Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County signed an order on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, dismissing all charges with prejudice. With this order, this domestic matter is over and cannot be reopened."
Winans is quoted as saying, “This has been a trying year, beginning with the death of my father. Even though this allegation has affected not just me, but also the entire Winans family, my children and certain aspects of my career, I chose to stay quiet because I knew the truth. To be exonerated of all charges shows the power of trusting in God, and is a wonderful Christmas gift for me and my children.”
Winans, a judge on BET's "Sunday Best," was jailed briefly in Tennessee last spring after his ex-wife accused him in an affidavit of pushing her to the ground during an argument over custody of their two children. Last month, Winans' good friend, Oprah Winfrey, removed him from her show’s karaoke challenge until charges against him could be resolved.
In Tuesday's statement, his reps said the allegations had "stirred up a fire inside Winans to begin a persistent effort to fight for the father or the man who may be going through the same struggle."
Winans said, “This situation has made me a changed man. But it has also helped me see that there needs to be legislation that protects the rights of fathers when it comes to the custody of their children. All men are not deadbeat dads; all men are not abusing women. And it’s unfortunate that the legal system and society assume the worst before they hear the truth. My children are my first priority, and I want and need to become the voice for the men around the world who are doing the RIGHT thing!”
