Stalking hearing against Macon-Bibb commissioner delayed after Macon NAACP president’s attorney doesn’t show up

Westbrooks says her attorney, Gerald Griggs, was appointed for her by the national chapter but was unable to attend due to participating in another hearing at the same time in Atlanta. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/ WMGT) – A judge has postponed a decision on a potential temporary protective order between NAACP Macon Chapter President Gwenette Westbrooks and Macon-Bibb County District 9 Commissioner Brendalyn Bailey.

Dozens gathered inside the courtroom at the Bibb County Courthouse on Wednesday to hear arguments, but the one absence halted the proceedings.

Westbrooks says her attorney, Gerald Griggs, was appointed for her by the national chapter but was unable to attend due to participating in another hearing at the same time in Atlanta.

Judge Richard Winegarden questioned Westbrooks on the matter.

“Why did someone give you a lawyer that couldn’t come?” Winegarden asked.

According to Westbrooks, Griggs was unaware he wouldn’t be able to attend the hearing until Tuesday, and he had informed Bailey’s attorney, Duke Groover.

“He thought that he was going to be able to get out of that scheduling, but he was not able to get out of the scheduling,” Westbrooks said. “So that’s why he emailed him last night.”

Judge Winegarden made multiple attempts to reach attorney Griggs by phone but was unsuccessful. Winegarden, Westbrooks, and Groover ultimately agreed to reschedule the hearing.

The temporary protective order against Bailey would prevent the commissioner from coming within 150 feet of Westbrooks.

According to documents, the conflict is centered around Westbrooks refusing to admit she knew Bailey in 2012, which sparked a public dispute between the two.

Westbrooks claims Bailey called the sheriff to have her removed from city hall after a January commission hearing. Westbrooks also claims Bailey sent text messages to Macon Water Authority Board Member Desmond Brown threatening harm against Westbrooks. In those messages, Westbrooks claims Bailey vowed to keep pursuing her until she admitted to knowing her. Westbrooks also claims Bailey later confronted her at another event. Bailey and her team have denied the accusations.

Attorney Duke Groover asked the judge to vacate the order before it expires.

“This temporary protective order is hanging over our heads right now,” Groover said. “She is a Bibb County commissioner that has to do her job in that capacity. There’s some urgency to that part of this case.”

Under a February 7 modified order, Bailey was permitted to be on city hall property.

Those listed as witnesses included Macon Water Authority Board member and former commissioner Elaine Lucas and former mayoral candidate Shekita Maxwell.

The rescheduled hearing will take place at the Bibb County Courthouse on Wednesday, March 5 at 9:30 a.m.

41NBC attempted to reach both Westbrooks and Bailey for comment on Wednesday, but both declined.