Free Republic

American Pastor Andrew Brunson has now been officially charged, facing what amounts to life in prison, as his trial begins in just weeks. Yesterday, in yet another turn of events, a Turkish court approved an indictment that the Turkish prosecutor apparently turned in last week, even after denying doing so. Since the indictment has been approved, the prosecution phase of the case will now begin. After almost a year and a half in prison, Pastor Andrew has his first court date set for April 16, 2018. The case file is now finally open, and by the end of the week,...

D.A. seeks delay in Big Lake chapel shooting trial The Associated Press ANCHORAGE (September 5, 5:35 p.m. ADT) - The trial of a Big Lake pastor charged in the deaths of two men who were attempting to burglarize his church has been delayed at the request of the Palmer district attorney's office. DNA test results that came in late last week raised new questions in the case of the Rev. Phillip Mielke, who is charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, said Assistant District Attorney Bob Collins. State medical examiners also were going to be out of town during the...