Minister's lawyer might not call witness in gay beating case

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Jeffrey Collins and Holbrook Mohr, Associated Press

Updated 2:52 pm, Monday, June 5, 2017


RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (AP) — The lawyer for a North Carolina minister accused of orchestrating the beating of a gay congregant said Monday that he might not call any defense witnesses.

Brooke Covington, 58, a longtime minister at Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, North Carolina, is accused of leading the 2013 beating of former member Matthew Fenner to expel his "homosexual demons."

After the state called its last witness before a midday break, defense attorney David Teddy told the judge that he didn't plan to call any witnesses. But under questioning from the judge, Covington said she needed to discuss with Teddy whether she wanted to testify on her own behalf.

Covington, who pleaded not guilty, is the first of five church members to face trial in the case. Each will be tried separately.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Minister-s-lawyer-may-not-call-witnesses-in-11196824.php

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Evangelical Pastor Brooke Covington

[barbtries]

1. is she conceding guilt or expecting

that she has a jury that will ignore all the evidence the prosecution provided?

aargh NC

[TomSlick]

6. Not necessarily either.

A criminal defendant has no obligation to present any evidence and can simply stand on the position that the government has failed to prove its case. I'm not suggesting that this would be a good trial tactic but the defendant has no burden of proof.

Jury nullification is always a possibility but it usually ain't how the smart money bets.

[7962]

2. The guy in front or the guy in back? The one in front sure doesnt look

58!!
I'm glad their all being tried separately

[Judi Lynn]

5. It's the one in the red sequined tank and shirt, on the right, bless her heart. Brooke. n/t

[7962]

7. Oh wow, how did I not notice the spelling. Thanks!

And for some reason it makes it even worse to me i dont know why.
Hope she goes down hard for this

[6000eliot]

3. Will this monster get justice?

In this country, I'm not sure.

[keithbvadu2]

4. Freedom of religion?

How about some stoning?

There are plenty of 'bad' actions worthy of death in the Bible.