Philly judge acquits DNC delegate, 74, accused of indecent assault

A Philadelphia Municipal Court judge on Thursday acquitted a Delaware County man accused of indecent assault of a fellow delegate during the Democratic National Convention.

Walter Weeks, 74, of Garnet Valley, had been charged with second-degree misdemeanor indecent assault for an alleged incident in the bar at the DoubleTree hotel in Center City around 2 a.m. July 27.

Gwen Snyder, 30, of West Philadelphia, alleged that Weeks pulled her into a bear hug, buried his head in her chest, and licked her breasts.

Judge Charles Hayden ruled that the testimony of two character witnesses provided on behalf of Weeks was enough to raise reasonable doubt.

"We're very happy with the verdict," said Weeks' lawyer, Michael J. Engle of Philadelphia.

Snyder said she was shocked by the verdict.

"I really thought we would win this," she said.

The District Attorney's Office initially declined to prosecute Weeks, but Snyder circulated a petition calling for charges and received the support of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for Women.

The District Attorney's Office then reversed course, explaining that its decision was based on a further review of the evidence, including video and eyewitness testimony.

Engle said it was "disheartening" that the District Attorney's Office yielded to "political correctness and pressure" in pursuing the prosecution.

A spokesperson for the District Attorney's Office could not be reached for comment.

bmoran@phillynews.com 215-854-5983 @RobertMoran215