BY ZACHARY R. DOWDY | zachary.dowdy@newsday.com August 24, 2007
A nationally renowned televangelist and author who preaches at a Queens church was assaulted in an Atlanta hotel parking lot by her estranged husband during a meeting to reconcile, police said.
Atlanta police said Thomas W. Weeks III struck Juanita Bynum, who has homes in Hempstead and Waycross, Ga., at about 5 a.m. Wednesday, beating her badly enough to require medical treatment, said Atlanta Police Officer Robert Campbell.
"They were talking about a reconciliation. They got into an argument. In the process of the argument, her husband walked out to the parking lot area, turned back around and started to choke Miss Bynum," Campbell said.
"As he choked her, he pushed her down to the ground and started to kick her and also stomp on her," he said.
Weeks left the parking lot. Bynum, who was bruised around her neck and upper torso, met with authorities yesterday at an undisclosed location to press the charges, Campbell said.
Amy Malone, a publicist for Bynum, said, "She was not in a fight with her husband; she was attacked by her husband."
Campbell said police have obtained warrants against Weeks on aggravated assault and terrorist threat charges, both felonies.
Weeks, also a minister, founded Global Destiny churches.
"I am currently recovering from my injuries and resting well. There are so many great things happening for me in my future, and so much to look forward to concerning my destiny, this too shall pass," Bynum wrote on her MySpace.com page.
Bynum, who often refers to herself as a "prophetess," preaches at New Greater Bethel Ministries in Queens Village.
My sister was telling me about this yesterday evening. Juanita's husband has a church here in the DC Area somewhere and my sister has a former co-worker that is a member. The stories I heard regarding this man's church was a little suspect to me, and people also wonder about his sexuality.
I don't know much about Miss Bynum, except that she does a lot of speeches about empowerment. I pray that she heals from these wounds and continue to live her life. I know she has to be in shock that this man that she married, actually put his hands on her like he did.
I don't know if this is true, because I didn't hear it on the news or the radio but, my sister said he was on the run. Nothing in this article says this, and it also doesn't say anything about the police having him in custody. Did anyone hear differently?
