Judge Shermela Williams Sued for Locking Young Woman in Courthouse Cell
A Fulton County judge, Shermela Williams, has been sued by Molly Dennis, a young woman she jailed after Dennis testified in support of her mother during contentious divorce proceedings. The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission stated that Williams broke the law when she ordered Dennis to be locked in a courthouse cell in 2023. The panel described the jailing as "illegal" and noted that it, along with other inappropriate behavior, justifies Williams' removal from the bench. Dennis reported feeling afraid and humiliated by the experience, claiming Williams accused her of committing felonies after she entered her father's apartment. Williams has acknowledged that her actions were wrong, stating she intended to teach Dennis a lesson. The judicial misconduct watchdog has been investigating Williams' conduct, which has raised concerns about her integrity and ability to serve as a judge. The panel's findings were released in early October, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against her. This case underscores ongoing discussions about judicial accountability in Atlanta and the implications of judges' behavior on the lives of individuals in their courtrooms.
