CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Supreme Court Justice William R. “Bill” Wooton was taken to a hospital Wednesday after experiencing a medical incident while on the bench during oral arguments.
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia said arguments were stopped and emergency personnel were called to assist Wooton.
“During oral arguments this morning, Justice William R. ‘Bill’ Wooton experienced a medical incident while on the bench. Arguments were stopped and emergency personnel called in to treat the situation. Justice Wooton was conscious, alert and conversing with first responders as they treated him. He was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation,” Jared Hunt, communications director for the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, said in a statement.
The court canceled the remainder of Wednesday’s oral arguments following the incident.
“The Court has canceled its oral arguments for the remainder of the day and hearings will be rescheduled,” Hunt said.
No additional information on Wooton’s condition was immediately released.
Wooton, a Raleigh County native, was sworn into office on Dec. 30, 2020, for a 12-year term on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. He was elected on June 9, 2020, to a term that began Jan. 1, 2021.
