CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Supreme Court abruptly ended its first day of Fall Term oral arguments Wednesday morning when Justice Bill Wooton suffered a medical issue.
Wooton, who was seated between Chief Justice Haley Bunn and new Justice Kirk Kirkpatrick, was listening to the first case of the day when the courtroom live stream showed him leaning back in his chair with his head tilted to one side.
Bunn got out of her chair and moved toward Wooton and Kirkpatrick motioned for help.
One of the attorneys arguing the case could be heard saying, “Call the capitol nurse and call 911.”
The Court has issued a statement:
“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.
“The Court has canceled its oral arguments for the remainder of the day and hearings will be rescheduled.”
Wooton, of Beckley, who will turn 82 later this month, has been a member of the state Supreme Court since 2021. Before that, he was a longtime member of the state legislature.