CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Supreme Court Justice Bill Wooton was back to work Thursday after appearing to have passed out while on the bench hearing cases Wednesday.
The Court said Wooton was evaulated at CAMC Memorial and treated for dehydration. He did not spend the night in the hospital.
Wooton released a statement Thursday:
“I want to thank everyone for their prayers and best wishes for my complete recovery. I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday and had apparently become quite dehydrated, which triggered my sudden illness during Wednesday’s oral arguments,” Wooton said. “I’m grateful for the swift action of my colleagues, Court security and first responders who quickly came to my aid. After an evaluation at the hospital and influx of fluids, I’m happy to report that I am feeling much better today and have returned to work at the Court. Again, I want to thank everyone for their concerns and well wishes and am grateful to be able to get back to work for the people of West Virginia,”
Wooton, who will turn 82 later this month, leaned back in his chair during the first case on the argument docket and his head titled to the right. Chief Justice Haley Bunn noticed it and got up out of her chair to assist Wooton.
The Court said it will be rescheduling the cases that were on Wednesday’s docket.