TRI-CITIES, Wash. (AP) - Benton County District Court Judge Holly Hollenbeck has apologized for telling a cancer patient to remove a knitted cap or leave his courtroom.

Hollenbeck says he told Bev Williams on Monday he was sorry and that the no-hat rule would no longer apply in his courtroom.

The Kennewick woman lost her hair due to chemotherapy and was in court Friday to support her teenage daughter who was facing a misdemeanor charge.

Williams left the courtroom in tears. Hollenbeck refused to change his order even after being told about her cancer.

The story in the Tri-City Herald brought national attention and e-mails to the district court administrator.