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Minister Dies After Altar Attack
Chicago Tribune ^ | December 21, 2004 | Associated Press

Posted on 12/21/2004 5:29:13 PM PST by Graybeard58

WHITELAND, Ind. -- A 72-year-old minister died Tuesday, two days after being attacked and choked in front of the altar by a man who called him "the devil," police said.

The Rev. Bill McElroy of Missionary Baptist Church had been hospitalized since the attack, which took place as church members were arriving for Sunday services.

David J. Cooper, 40, was jailed on suspicion of attempted murder and other offenses. Police said the charges would be upgraded to murder.

"I choked him until I knew he was not breathing," Cooper told police, according to court papers. "I couldn't kill a human being. I was killing the devil."

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: bluestate; pastor
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1 posted on 12/21/2004 5:29:14 PM PST by Graybeard58
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To: Graybeard58

Wow


2 posted on 12/21/2004 5:30:51 PM PST by cyborg (http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/flamelily.html)
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To: Graybeard58

I've met some devilish ministers in my day but don't think they should have been strangled, certainly not on Sunday AM.


3 posted on 12/21/2004 5:31:55 PM PST by festus (The constitution may be flawed but its a whole lot better than what we have now !)
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To: Graybeard58

"which took place as church members were arriving for Sunday services."

confusing...


4 posted on 12/21/2004 5:32:50 PM PST by dakine
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To: Graybeard58
The artlcle doesn't say much more other than they knew each other for 20 years and taht the preacher had done the man's wedding 20 years earlier.
5 posted on 12/21/2004 5:34:38 PM PST by Rocketman
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To: Rocketman
...the preacher had done the man's wedding 20 years earlier...

We have established motive...

6 posted on 12/21/2004 5:43:02 PM PST by who knows what evil? (If arrogance was beauty, New England women would be supermodels!)
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To: dakine

He choked the minister in the church as other people were arriving for services. There are several articles in the Indianapolis Star about this incident, which occurred just south of Indianapolis.
The Star made it sound as if some of the members were police officers, they had to use stun guns or tasers or something like that to subdue Cooper.


7 posted on 12/21/2004 5:44:45 PM PST by hoosierpearl (No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy, than a U.S. Marine.)
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To: hoosierpearl

[Concealed carry] would have helped that bash....

-Lou Reed


8 posted on 12/21/2004 5:45:52 PM PST by Wally_Kalbacken
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To: Graybeard58

..."...David J. Cooper, 40.......The two men had known each other for some 20 years, with the minister presiding at Cooper's 1985 wedding,"...

Hand Cooper over to the Chicago Muslims for instant beheading.


9 posted on 12/21/2004 5:49:55 PM PST by jolie560
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To: Graybeard58

Well, as a preacher in a new congregation this sure makes my day. Merry Christmas! Seriously, I hope this guy does not get away with an insanity defense. This killing of preachers simply has to stop.


10 posted on 12/21/2004 5:52:39 PM PST by lexington minuteman 1775
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To: Graybeard58

could someone please fill me in on why no one helped the minister while he was being choked...what am i missing?


11 posted on 12/21/2004 5:56:04 PM PST by wallcrawlr (www.bionicear.com)
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To: lexington minuteman 1775
Good luck with your flock!
12 posted on 12/21/2004 6:01:25 PM PST by JennysCool (Prayers up 24/7 for Allegra's safe return.)
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To: lexington minuteman 1775

Your post is SO weird, it's beyond words.


13 posted on 12/21/2004 6:08:02 PM PST by Happygal (liberalism - a narrow tribal outlook largely founded on class prejudice)
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To: lexington minuteman 1775

Preach armed:')


14 posted on 12/21/2004 6:10:11 PM PST by CindyDawg (Hey aclu... Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! :'~))
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To: lexington minuteman 1775

New Congregation?

What Church?


15 posted on 12/21/2004 6:24:26 PM PST by RaceBannon (Jesus: Born of the Jews, through the Jews, for the sins of the World!)
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To: wallcrawlr

Some of today's Christian churhces are a quarter filled with little old ladies who couldn't harm a spider.

And no one else.

Men dont seem to be welcomed in church anymore....unless they behave like women.


16 posted on 12/21/2004 6:32:01 PM PST by mlmr (Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Chri)
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To: Wally_Kalbacken

...take a walk on the weird side.


17 posted on 12/21/2004 6:33:29 PM PST by Rakkasan1 (Justice of the Piece: Hope IS on the way...)
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To: Graybeard58

It will only get worse...CCW in church is smart these days....as well as better security...
imo


18 posted on 12/21/2004 6:35:25 PM PST by joesnuffy (Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
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To: who knows what evil?

ROFLMAO


19 posted on 12/21/2004 6:35:28 PM PST by LibertarianInExile (NO BLOOD FOR CHOCOLATE! Get the UN-ignoring, unilateralist Frogs out of Ivory Coast!)
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To: Graybeard58; cyborg
Minister Dies After Altar Attack

Usually, you can tell when altars are about to attack when they begin circling you with thier teeth bared.

20 posted on 12/21/2004 6:35:38 PM PST by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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