The judge of Cocke County had until yesterday to respond to charges by the state board of judicial conduct that she acted illegally in forcing the parents of Messiah Deshawn Martin to change his name from Messiah to Martin. The board said Ballew showed bias in making the decision.
In her response, Ballew corroborated all proceedings leading up to her decision, but stuck to her opinion that Jesus Christ is the only person who deserves the title of Messiah.
More importantly, she denied that she violated a code of conduct, also asking for her case to be tried in Jefferson County.
After the initial decision, a Tennessee court overturned the ruling, allowing Jaleesa Martin to continue to call her son Messiah.
Whether more will come out of this bizarre case remains to be seen.
