Pastor Who Invoked God's Wrath Gets Bail

[Divine Discontent]

Source: AP

updated 3:43 p.m. PT, Thurs., Dec. 11, 2008

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A community activist who ran for Congress from prison, where he had been sent for warning that a judge could be tortured by God, can post bond while he appeals his conviction, an appeals court has ruled.

After being convicted and sentenced to probation in 2007 for paying people to vote in a Benton Harbor recall election, Edward Pinkney wrote an article in a small Chicago newspaper saying the judge who handled the case could be punished by God with curses, fever and "extreme burning" unless he changed his ways.

Another judge considered the article a threat and sentenced Pinkney to three to 10 years in prison for violating his probation. Pinkney, who says he's a Baptist minister, and his attorneys say he was only paraphrasing some Bible verses from the book of Deuteronomy.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28180948/?gt1=43001

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Thank God the ACLU got involved. What a horrible thing the other judge did by considering that a threat and sending him to prison - yes, what the pastor said could happen to the judge is ridiculous - but this 2nd judge my invoke this pastor to write the same letter about him for doing this! LOL


These designs on dozens of different shirts, button, stickers, mugs & more! http://www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable/1434671

[No Elephants]

1. A threat to what? Give him a fever? This is definitely a free speech issue. The judge is out of

order.

[Swede Atlanta]

2. Limited Facts.....don't be so fast to judgment

In most of these cases that appear so cut and dry there is more than the reporter tells...they want to draw attention by sensationalism.

My guess is there may have been more to the "threat" than invoking God. And we don't know what else was going on in this case. Also keep in mind that someone saying "I sure wish someone would pick so-and-so off (in the context of a political figure) can be viewed as a threat.

The broader context here is that we have had multiple killings of judges, etc. because someone disagreed with their decisions. I agree that the judicial branch is not above the law and therefore citizens still have the right of free speech with respect to members of the judiciary. At the same time we need to be fostering an environment where people may disagree with a judicial decision or action but must learn to respect the law, so pronounced. We need to recognize the value of an independent judiciary and its importance, Bush v Gore aside, in our democracy.

[Robb]

3. Indeed

More info is needed for me to judge this.

For example, in the right community, a call from a pastor for God to strike someone down is a rally for those who, to be frank, see themselves as the hand of God in such matters.

Edited to add: Although I suspect the ACLU has researched this thoroughly before jumping in, as they are not idiots.

[struggle4progress]

4. What a mess

Preacher appeals conviction for criticizing Benton Harbor officials
By Eartha Jane Melzer 11/17/08 4:20 PM
Rev. Edward Pinkney, the 60-year-old a Baptist preacher from Benton Harbor who has been in jail for nearly a year for criticizing Berrien County officials in an article that ran in a Chicago newspaper, is appealing ... He has been a prominent critic of the county’s criminal justice system and of efforts by the locally based Whirlpool corporation to build a golf course on the town’s lakefront park. In May 2007 Pinkney was sentenced to a term of probation by Berrien County Chief Judge Alfred Butzbaugh following his conviction of election law violations in connection with a campaign to recall one of Benton Harbor’s most prominent politicians. Pinkney and the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO) sought to recall Benton Harbor City Commissioner Glen Yarborough ... Pinkney’s appeal of his conviction is pending in the state court of appeals .... an editorial published in the Chicago People’s Tribune .. came to the attention of Pinkney’s probation officer, James Pjesky, who claimed that the statements violated the conditions of Pinkney’s probation. Those conditions prohibit him from engaging in any “assaultive, abusive, defamatory, demeaning, harassing, violent, threatening, intimidating behavior, including the use, through any electronic or print media under your care, custody or control, of the mail or internet.” Pinkney was arrested last December ... http://michiganmessenger.com/8567/preacher-appeals-conviction-for-criticizing-benton-harbor-officials-2

... Judge Butzbaugh, it shall come to pass; if thou continue not to hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to do all that is right; which I command thee this day, that all these Curses shall come upon you and your family, curses shalt be in the City of St. Joseph and Cursed shalt thou be in the field, cursed shall come upon you and your family and over take thee; cursed shall be the fruit of thy body. The Lord shall smite thee with consumption and with a fever and with an inflammation and with extreme burning. They the demons shall Pursue thee until thou persist ...

Corrupt judge denies new jury trial in Pinkney case
By Rev. Edward Pinkney
http://www.peoplestribune.org/PT.2007.11/PT.2007.11.18.html

The judge Alfred Butzbaugh seems to be former head of the Michigan State Bar and a Granholm appointee to his current office

September 27, 1999
St. Joseph attorney Alfred M. Butzbaugh was sworn in as the State Bar of Michigan's 65th president on Friday, September 17 during the Bar's Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids ... http://www.michbar.org/news/releases/archives99/9_27_99.cfm

Granholm Appoints Alfred Butzbaugh Judge of the 2nd Circuit Court
October 22, 2003
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of Alfred M. Butzbaugh as Judge of the 2nd Circuit Court in Berrien County. “Al’s heart and soul are committed to equal justice,” Granholm said. “He is driven by a dedication to fairness and respect for his fellow citizens. He will serve the citizens of Berrien County well” ... http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-23442_21974-78563--,00.html

Further background/context:

From Behind Prison Bars: Rev. Pinkney of Benton Harbor Runs For U.S. Congress
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 10:19
by Andrea Egypt
Detroit
... Reverend Edward Pinkney has become the Green Party candidate in the 6th District Congressional race. He is running against the incumbent U.S. Congressman, Fred Upton ... http://www.detroitgreens.org/node/49

Rain, curfew help bring quiet night to Benton Harbor
Heavy police presence after two nights of riots
Thursday, June 19, 2003 Posted: 5:19 AM EDT (0919 GMT)
The violence followed the death Monday night of a black motorcyclist in a high-speed chase by white police officers from nearby Benton Township. The motorcyclist, 28-year-old Terrance Shurn, of Benton Harbor, was killed when he crashed into a vacant building in a neighborhood near the city's center ... Wednesday afternoon, police officers from several different jurisdictions began arriving in Benton Harbor. Some carried riot gear, and several reinforced vans called "peacekeepers" were parked downtown. The bullet-proof vans help protect officers from gunshots, rocks and bottles. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said about 130 state police officers are assisting local law enforcement, but she urged local leaders to come together to restore calm ... Many of the city's residents believe they are unfairly targeted by police from the more prosperous white communities that surround them, said Charlie Ammeson, a local attorney ... About 12,000 people live in Benton Harbor, a predominantly black city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Though it was once home to foundries, boat yards and appliance factories, many of its jobs have evaporated and unemployment now runs above 25 percent, according to state records ... http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Midwest/06/18/michigan.unrest/

[AlbertCat]

8. thou shalt be locked up...

....in a straight jacket. Do the 17th century English pronouns make the curse work better?

What a loonie. Put him in a padded cell and get him some mental health. He's obviously f-ing nuts.

[prostock69]

5. He should be in a mental facility.

People such as this minister who THINK that God is talking to them and wants them to do HIS will have had a mental breakdown of some sort. Just my opinion.

[scytherius]

7. And I agree with that too lol n/t

nt

[scytherius]

6. With what little I read, I agree it's free speech and he should be allowed to say it. n/t

nt