In The News: BeBe Winans Cleared Of All Charges
by EJ on Dec.07, 2009 at 2:42 pm, under Christian
BeBe Winans has been cleared of all charges related to allegations of domestic assault against his former wife, Debra. According to an official statement I’ve just received from BeBe’s camp, the case was dismissed on Friday, December 4th, and is now closed.
The text of his official statement is below:
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BEBE WINANS EXONERATED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES
(Dateline: December 7, 2009; Nashville, TN; Source: W&W Public Relations, Inc.)
Gospel singer BeBe Winans has been exonerated of all charges of allegations that he assaulted his ex‐wife Debra Winans. Judge Gloria Dumas of the General Sessions Court for Metropolitan Nashville‐Davidson County signed an order on Friday, December 4, 2009, dismissing all charges with prejudice. With this order, this domestic matter is over and cannot be reopened.
“This has been a trying year, beginning with the death of my father, “ says Winans. “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.”
On February 13, 2009, the Grammy Award winning singer was accused of allegedly shoving his ex‐wife to the ground during an argument. Court filings stated that the alleged altercation was based on custody issues dealing with their two children. Winans was arrested on March 11, 2009 on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge and was briefly held at the Davidson County jail before posting $1000 bond.
During the media frenzy, Winans maintained his innocence all along, choosing to take the high road, never responding to his ex‐wife and allowing justice to prevail. The allegations, however, have 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. “This situation has made me a changed man,” says Winans. “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!”
* * *
The exoneration comes after a swirl of allegations by his former wife, most recently in a one-on-one interview with Lexi, which aired this weekend on The Word Network (see trailer here).
The case exploded into mainstream media last month when Oprah Winfrey removed BeBe Winans from his role as host of her “Karaoke Challenge” segments, following criticism and pressure she faced for not abiding by her generally strict stance against domestic violence.
Despite the allegations and attendant scrutiny, BeBe Winans has remained at #1 on Billboard’s gospel music charts with his latest release, Still– the long-awaited reunion project with his sister, CeCe Winans.
My thoughts– glad it’s over. Hopefully, as the court has dismissed the case, WE will too.
Let’s keep praying for him, his ex-wife and, especially, their children, who’ve had the unfortunate privilege of watching as people (yes, even Christians) weigh-in to villainize their parents. God wants wholeness for this situation and we should earnestly seek it on behalf of each of them.
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December 7th, 2009 on 2:50 pm
Great post EJ! As usual, you always write on even the most controversial subjects with such integrity and perspective. This is one of the reasons why I love your love blogs.
December 7th, 2009 on 4:49 pm
Hallelujah!!
December 7th, 2009 on 4:51 pm
I second musiq! It was very well written and not gossipy! Love it EJ! Thankful that that’s over! Good for Bebe…let’s carry-on/move on…*sings Grace, oh Grace*
December 7th, 2009 on 5:09 pm
i agree will all yall and i pray that the children haven’t been overtly affected by this sad display, and if they have, i pray that Jesus will heal their hearts… Pray for the kids yall..
peace
December 7th, 2009 on 5:23 pm
I love this site as well…we must keep their whole family in prayer. I think sometimes we forget that “stars”, artists etc..have the same issues that typical families have..but because they are stars it is not a private matter but a public matter. It is unfortunate that “we” make judgements before knowing the whole matter. But I am glad that the truth made him free!
December 7th, 2009 on 5:47 pm
BB Congrat. . . Wishing U all the best God has2 offer N his abundant Grace, Luv, 2 show men. Thru all the trials of this year may U always B blessed & happy (U deserve) good-things 2 come back to U 4 all the kindness U’ve shown me & others. May God continue 2 bless the entire Winans family, & that he may continue 2 mend any further needed areas, that grace & kindness can step N / for surely his mercy, grace, & kindness shall-follow those “he truly luvs”. Your 1-time good friend, Ron.
December 7th, 2009 on 5:51 pm
Praise God for bringing peace to this situation.
I have to wonder how will Oprah respond?
December 7th, 2009 on 6:22 pm
im so very happy for u bebe the devil has lauched a all out attack on Gods people a people who is trying to do Gods will and im so happy that u did not make it a spectacle the way the devil planned it what the devil mean for meanest God works it out for the good what pray will do if we just hold on to it and not get tired, no matter what is said no matter what is going on God told us not to get weary in our well doing bcause we will reap if we faint not……… much pray for u and family God is able to do the impossible he breaks up and he can mend back together we want Gods will to be done.
December 7th, 2009 on 6:51 pm
Im just so happy for BeBe Winans..Another Happy Day…
December 7th, 2009 on 6:56 pm
To God be the Glory! There are some good fathers out there!
December 7th, 2009 on 7:15 pm
Glad to hear that it’s over for him and it’s true that the court system needs to change the way they view “men”. I watched my brother go through this same thing with a vindictive girlfriend.
December 7th, 2009 on 10:06 pm
I’m glad people get the chance to see the “other” side of this sort of an issue. All too often when there is an alleged domestic dispute, domestic violence, or some other indiscretion someone (usually the man) comes off guilty or tarnished. Thankfully he was able to get through this fairly quickly and I am glad he and his family can begin to move forward. I really appreciate him taking the stance of wanting to help others. It’s one thing to come through something, but it’s another thing to understand that you have the ability to help others in a similar situation and then choose to do so.
Good for you Bebe.
December 8th, 2009 on 3:18 am
I thank God for taking you through all what uve gone thr’ and bringing you out from it all!. Thats why we are told to count al joy when u go thr’ such bcz the Lord shal fight for us. The end result of this would be, being whole! The Lord bless you and your family, may He give you strength and cover you wth His covering.
December 8th, 2009 on 9:00 am
I pray that God will bless BeBe, his children and his ex-wife.
Steve Harvey said on his morning show that the way BeBe conducted himself during this situation really made an impression on him personally and set an example on how a man of God should conduct himself when facing public ridicule especially from those “christian” folks.
December 8th, 2009 on 10:57 am
This is not meant to be a judgment, but I love Be Be and his music ministry very much. Secondly, I’m happy that the judge dismissed all charges and Be Be did seek counseling for his issue to satisfy the court.
But on the other side of the coin, I hope and pray he did learn a valuable lesson from counselors and those he is accountable to, especially those whose pastorate he is under. From this, he could teach those, especially those men of color who are going through domestic violence/anger management issues to learn to be a godly example as a Christian man to their wives, girlfriends and especially their children, not ending up on tabloid web sites like TMZ.
There is a pastor here in the Southern California area by the name of Raul Ries. Raul had a lot of anger management issues, some of which was from his upbringing and from the war in Viet Nam. But someone like Raul found the freedom in Christ and he is now pastoring one of the biggest churches which teaches God’s word.
December 8th, 2009 on 11:38 am
Exonerate: to clear from accusation or blame
In the USA, we are innocent until proven guilty. Bebe Winans wasn’t proven guilty…he was exonerated of all charges. How this results in him seeking counsel concerning anger management issues or needing to learn from those he’s accountable to, I’ll never know. He learned a lesson alright, good fathers need an advocate for their rights. And I agree…
I wonder if this discredits Lexi’s interview????
December 8th, 2009 on 2:11 pm
OK I just got to say this Oprah should just fell stupid. This is why it is never a good idea to make snap judgements on people weahter they be famus on not.
December 8th, 2009 on 2:17 pm
@ V4c I don’t think that it makes her interview tanted our unfalide she was just asking questions that is what a good interviewer does. Good question thoe.
December 8th, 2009 on 5:12 pm
@Wesley, I don’t think Oprah has a reason to feel stupid at all. She made a wise decision to wait out the court’s decision. Fortunately, this story worked out in BeBe’s favor in the end but it didn’t have to. It was wise on her part to act as she did. She didn’t come out & make any scolding public remarks against him either to regret later.
December 8th, 2009 on 5:46 pm
@Keisha- yes, I completely agree with you. Oprah and her “empire”, and her legions of fans expect her to be true to her word and her stance on domestic violence. As close as she is to Bebe and the rest of the Winans family I’m sure it was a tough decision to cut him from a program that he was so highly publicized to be a participant. But, from her side she has to be as fair as possible. I’m sure Bebe understood and respected her position. She could have easily made excuses but she respectfully and tactfully made a professional decision to reinforce her stance on the issue. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bebe on her show very soon, as she continues to support him.
December 8th, 2009 on 10:14 pm
I don’t know Bebe Winans personally, but I do know several gospel artists personally and what I’ve found is that “fans” and church folk have a very naive way of viewing their artists. I saw the Lexi interview with Debra and while everyone is attacking her for speaking out and attacking Lexi for doing the interview, it was very tastefully done. Nobody was dogging anyone and I actually believe Debra. You all have to keep in mind that she sees and saw a side of Bebe that most of you all will NEVER see.
December 9th, 2009 on 1:32 am
I don’t feel that anyone has the right to pass judgement on Bebe or Debra. None of us, as Trey points out, has had to experience the personal side of either of them. The best thing to do is trust that God will handle these situations, seen and unseen. And PRAY for our brothers and sisters!
December 9th, 2009 on 3:57 am
i listened to bebe’s new cd and loved it.. there is one song that doesnt sound like a christian song. Has bebe found another?
The song is named “i found love” ( cindy’s song) Who is Cindy?
i hope he has met someone and I hope debra finds someone too.
Im sure they both made mistakes . the bible says you must forgive not go to the court and make a mockery of the lord.
They need to forgive each other especially for the children’s sake What are they teaching them about handling marriage issues when its their time to get married I’m sure Poppa Winans did not approve since he was married for 53 years.
I want to thank Bebe for encouraging me to stay on my diet he looks fantastic!
May God bless them all in the year 2010
December 14th, 2009 on 4:52 pm
Let us not judge. Let us not judge whether or not either party is speaking truth. Let us not judge whether or not the judges have judged rightly. Let us not judge on our own instincts or even on our own experiences & understanding. Bebe is a man without spotless reputation. Debra is a woman without spotless reputation. I am a woman without spotless reputation. We will all disappoint someone in this life with our poor decisions, but the key is how we respond. Do we cover it up? Do we repent? Do we cover it up publicly & repent quietly? Do we lean on God’s mercy and hope everyone will eventually forget? I’ll tell you what I haven’t forgotten… I have sinned. I have fallen short. I am unworthy of the mercy given. My hope for the Winans’ is for redemption of souls and restoration of relationship… for the sake of all of those involved.
December 24th, 2009 on 9:32 pm
As we know, satan is alway busy, but when God is for you, who can be against you?
December 29th, 2009 on 8:34 pm
shame to the devil. wat he planned has failed,
January 15th, 2010 on 1:06 am
Not a fan of the Winans clan in no shape form or fashion…their “antics” as family over the years are a turn off but no one should be falsely accused so I’m glad that his name has been cleared..Vicki is my girl and but she the ex inlaw …smart move by suing to keep her name and in the end she outshines the entire Winans dynasty….
January 15th, 2010 on 8:00 am
@Kevin - What do mean by the Winans “antics”? Can you explain?