Video of Texas Judge Beating Daughter Reveals Alleged History of Abuse
The woman who published on the Internet a video of herself being beaten by her father as a teen, has hinted at a history of abuse by her father, a Texas judge, who is now under investigation.
Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams, is the subject of a police investigation after a violent video posted online by his daughter, Hillary Adams, who is now 23, attracted at least 1 million viewers.
The video shows Adams using a belt to beat his then-16-year-old daughter with several lashes to her legs. The incident also took place in the presence of the child’s mother, Hallie Adams.
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The beating is reported to have been triggered by Hillary’s downloading of video games from the Internet.
According to Corpus Christi’s KRISTV, the judge responded to the now viral video and the uproar surrounding it by suggesting an antagonistic motivation by his daughter.
"She's mad because I've ordered her to bring the car back, in a nutshell, but yeah that's me, I lost my temper," Adams said. "Her mother was there, she wasn't hurt. It was a long time ago. I really don't want to get into this right now because as you can see my life's been made very difficult over this child."
Appearing on NBC's "Today" show, Hillary suggested the judge's behavior was symptomatic of a history of abuse. "It did happen regularly for a period of time," she said.
Some have pointed to the participation of Hallie, the girl's mother, who is detected in the video shouting to her daughter, "Turn over like a 16-year-old and take it! Like a grown woman!"
She also hits the girl at least once with the belt.
Still, when asked about her mother, who left the marriage four years ago, Hillary explained that she and her mother have grown close, and that Hallie cried when she saw the video of the beating.
In explaining her involvement or participation in the video, Hallie claimed that she was controlled by Adams.
"I was completely brainwashed and controlled," Hallie said.
Hillary explained that she is happy that the video has come to light because, although she takes no pleasure in hurting her father, she feels "he needs help and rehabilitation."
Rockport, Texas, police Chief Tim Jayroe stated that his office has begun an investigation after receiving a number of concerned phone calls from the public.
According to CNN, the public outrage has also caused Adams to temporarily leave his position at the Aransas County courthouse. A visiting judge could take over the case load from the now embattled judge.
