Judge Suing Wal-Mart For Allegedly Causing His Confinement in Mental Health Facility

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Richard Longoria

Story Created: Mar 5, 2010 at 1:28 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2010 at 10:07 PM CDT

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - A Brownsville municipal court judge is
suing a local Sam's Club and its owner, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.,
alleging that an unnecessary customer service dispute led to his
confinement in mental health facilities.
     
The Brownsville Herald reports the suit filed last week by Judge
Phil Bellamy accuses store personnel of making a false report to
police accusing him of disorderly conduct and terroristic threats.
     
According to the newspaper, the 46-year-old judge has been
diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has fought confinement at
mental health facilities and court-ordered treatment since Jan. 12.
That's when a dispute at the store led to his arrest.
     
He contends that his First Amendment right to free expression
was violated by store employees when they questioned him about the
high cost of a pair of diamond earrings he was buying for his wife.
      ---
     
Information from: The Brownsville Herald,
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com
     
     
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
     
AP-NY-03-05-10 1314EST

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spelling bee queen said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 1:22 PM

UH Sweetie it is earrings not errings loser learn how to spell!!

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Brownsville said on Monday, Mar 8 at 7:10 PM

If this guy is a judge in BrownTown he belongs in the nut house. Everyone in that corrupt legal system needs to get locked up. Viva la Peso is the only slogan that works in that p-iss hole.

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john rape said on Monday, Mar 8 at 8:18 AM

it means he can express his bad taste in buying diamonds at Sam's. Thats like buying steak at a gas station.

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Anonymous said on Monday, Mar 8 at 12:46 AM

was his wife a broomstick??? that could've raised some eyebrows.

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Jeff Keith said on Sunday, Mar 7 at 2:23 PM

I'm Bipolar, never knew it gave me special treatment for First Amendment free speech. What does buying errings have to do with freedom of expression?

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