Central pastor arrested, released after accusations he nearly hit protester with bus

[Sgent]

Source: Baton Rouge Advocate

The leader of a Central church who's defied Louisiana crowd-size limits aimed at quelling the coronavirus outbreak vowed Tuesday to continue public religious services as he emerged triumphant from Parish Prison to cheering followers after his arrest on an aggravated assault count.

Standing in the road in front of the jail, the Rev. Tony Spell told a few dozen members of his Life Tabernacle Church awaiting his release that he had an inalienable right from his Creator to assemble with his flock and practice his faith, regardless of what Gov. John Bel Edwards says.

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The governor is trying to limit the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 1,400 in Louisiana, including one known to be a Spell congregant. Spell says the crowd-size restriction is unconstitutional and an attack on religion.

A church lawyer has also contracted the virus, though it's not clear how. State health officials have said they would not investigate whether there was a coronavirus cluster at the church because it does not provide health-care services.



Read more: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/coronavirus/article_2fc3c414-8392-11ea-92fc-87c5d026910d.html

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So he got released on 5k bond on this felony, and already has 4 misdemeanor arrests for violating the governors order. Its hard to say what the DA will do -- he's religious but Catholic (and the bishop canceled mass for months).

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. They are killing us, on purpose, this pastor wants to kill all of us.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Another self-appointed high priest of Christendom who has never read the Sermon on the Mount.

[Roy Rolling]

3. Be Careful With Cult Leaders

Don’t let him publicize being a victim or, God forbid, become a martyr because of his stupidity.

I wouldn’t touch him with a 10-foot pole—literally or figuratively. Let him fade into the background on his own, he’s just trying to get free media attention.

[generalbetrayus]

4. I read somewhere else that the good pastor could be sentenced up to 6 months

in jail if convicted. Perhaps 6 hours nailed to a cross would be more fitting. Shoot, he might even like it!

[spudspud]

5. You mistake a grifter...

for one of his cult believers. He'd pee himself at the thought of that being an actual penalty. He's just making a big stink for the free publicity because it equals more dollars in his pocket. Real Christian pastors/leaders care about others and would not do the crap he's doing.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. I'm in NE New York and church services are canceled around here for the duration. n/t