Call to action: police question "solstice connection" in stabbing by Wiccan

[The Straight Story]

Call to action: police question "solstice connection" in stabbing by Wiccan

KOAT News in Albuquerque, New Mexico released a story yesterday about how Angela Sanford, who claims to be Wiccan, stabbed her boyfriend to death with a "Wiccan dagger". The woman and her lover were on a hiking trail when Sanford claims that the man, Joel Leyba, attempted to sexually assault her. A witness on the scene found police and reported that a woman was being attacked. When police got to the scene, they found the couple, and Joel Leyba was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police claim that the stabbing was done with a "Wiccan dagger" that Angela Sandford carried on her at all times. The article claims that "Police said they don't know if witchcraft had anything to do with the murder." The police chief is quoted as saying "This is a time of Wiccan holiday, being the solstice. We're still investigating to determine if that had something to do with this particular homicide." KOAT did nothing to counter this misinformation.

Clearly, the police department has the wrong information not only on the solstice/equinox dates, but also on what Wicca and modern witchcraft are all about. Whether this woman did the crime and/or whether she thinks of herself as Wiccan is not the issue here. The issue is the misrepresentation, both by the media and the chief of police of what the basic premise of a Wiccan sabbat ritual is. Human sacrifice is certainly not on the agenda.

I suggest contacting Albuquerque police chief Ray Schultz and KOAT news and demanding that not only the correct information be given to the public, but that they both issue a public apology for their misrepresentation of the Wiccan religion.

http://www.examiner.com/x-26373-Domestic-Witchery-Examiner~y2010m3d24-Call-to-action-police-question-solstice-connection-in-stabbing-by-Wiccan

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. they are idiots.

This is like blaming mennonites or amish for inciting riots or declaring war.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Until more is know, the call for indundating the cops and the media is premature

Cops don't normally see a body with a knife in it and think Wicca. Be interesting to know who brought Wicca into the case and why. This article and others have a lot of missing data. Until things get filled it, lets chill, watch it, but chill.

[bain_sidhe]

4. My guess

police were trying to determine whether the murder was premeditated, and asked why she had a knife with her, to which she replied, I'm Wiccan, it's my athame (ceremonial dagger), and it's always with me.

From there, the police blew it up into this whole "Wiccan connection" thing.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. That is as good as anything I guess

Every cop I know has a knife on them. Most of the time so do I (Gerber Leatherman clone or some sort of folder). Would not think that carrying a knife in the woods requires much of an explanation.

[kestrel91316]

3. The only way Wicca is involved, lol, is if some "Wiccan" didn't pay close attention

when they were taught the Law of Threefold Return.

[get the red out]

5. So, what about other domestic violence?

If something happens like this with a Christian couple tomorrow will it be because it is a Christian holy day? I seriously doubt anyone would come to that conclusion.

I hate that there are such scape-goats in our country, people who are demonized because of religion or race, when the vast majority of criminals would probably call themselves "Christian" by birth or training, because they are the majority. It is so idiotic.

[The Straight Story]

8. On DU it might be :) (nt)

[Tailormyst]

6. Would they be treating this the same if a Christian woman defended herself from attack?

If a man attacked me and I had my Athame on me, damn right I would use it on him.

[MorningGlow]

9. Burn the witch! BURN HER!

Jayzus Kee-rist. :eyes:

Wiccan dagger = athame
Athame = ceremonial blade
Ceremonial blade = cleansed and blessed by its owner, including a vow not to shed blood with it

Oh--and solstice? That was back on March 20.

But hey, if a lunatic who thinks she's a Wiccan says so, it must be because of the faith, right? :eyes:

[foxfeet]

10. Psssst. Equinox, not solstice. That won't happen until June.

:hi:

[MorningGlow]

11. D'OH! See what happens when I get riled up!

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Tailormyst]

12. I have to say...

I don't know if the woman is telling the truth about being assaulted, but if it was me and I was being assaulted, my Athame would probably end up bloody too. Harm none also includes oneself. Just my thoughts.

Sadly no one will know what really happened but her and the press will continue to make the story being her religion.

[MorningGlow]

13. Oh absolutely

I agree. But the implication that she harmed him with her athame BECAUSE of her religion implies she's a crazy person who believes in blood sacrifice. Which makes me just :grr:

[Tailormyst]

14. Yup- Media is always looking to sensationalize.

It's so incredibly frustrating and just furthers peoples fears of us.