Police Taser Pastor 'Helping' Driver in Traffic Stop

Fox News ^ | July 02, 2009

[Alex Murphy]

WEBSTER, Texas — Police used a Taser on a pastor and pepper spray to disperse his congregants Wednesday after the pastor allegedly interfered with a traffic stop in the church parking lot.

Congregants say they were in the Iglesia Profetica Peniel church for an early morning prayer when pastor Jose Elias Moran went to assist the stopped driver, a church member, by asking the police what had happened.

An incident report on the Webster police department's Web site said Officer Raymond Berryman tried to calm Moran and arrest him. But police say he pushed the officer, went inside the church and returned with 40 other congregants.

The congregants say Moran fled into the church when the officer grew angry and began to yell, and Moran's family disputes that the pastor touched the officer.

Moran's son Miguel said 30 witnesses saw the officer turn aggressive and repeatedly kick the church door. Several members were hit with pepper spray and children were present, Miguel Moran said.

"They treated him as if he were a drug dealer or murderer, but he is a pastor that tries to help the community," Moran said. "The police always want to be right but they are not."

Moran's wife, Maria, said she tried to help her husband after he was hit with the Taser but police threatened to arrest her.

"My husband has a heart condition and with electrocution who knows what could've happened," Maria Moran said, referring to the Taser's electrical shock.

"A pastor has to tend to his flock," she said. "That is all he was doing."

Speaking from a hospital bed Wednesday night, Moran told The Associated Press he planned to hire an attorney to file charges against the officer. He was being held at the hospital overnight for additional tests.

Police did not

[Alex Murphy]

Congregants say they were in the Iglesia Profetica Peniel church for an early morning prayer when pastor Jose Elias Moran went to assist the stopped driver, a church member, by asking the police what had happened.

An incident report on the Webster police department's Web site said Officer Raymond Berryman tried to calm Moran and arrest him. But police say he pushed the officer, went inside the church and returned with 40 other congregants.

[stinkerpot65]

Hard to judge without being there.

[thefactor]

what possible good can come from approaching officers who are executing a car stop and asking them what is going on and if you can assist?

yes, you can assist. by moving away and letting the officers do their job.

[CA Conservative]

However, it sounds like the pastor has 40 witnesses to support his version of events against the word of the police officer. Unless the cop has a dash-cam video supporting his account, it is likely he will lose.

[1rudeboy]

I’ll wager those witnesses could be demolished on cross-examination.

[Porterville]

I know cops and 1/2 are jerks.

[Paladin2]

"yes, you can assist. by moving away and letting the officers do their job. "

Move along, nothing to see here.

[Mr. Lucky]

The police officer had it within his power to communicate the situation via recorded communication and to request backup. If he did, he’s OK; if he didn’r, he’s in deep doodoo.

[east1234]

You're underestimating the problem

[thefactor]

no, you can observe from a safe distance for everyone involved.

but car stops are the 2nd most dangerous thing cops have to do. why interrupt them in the middle of one?

how would you take to people interrupting you in the middle of a dangerous task asking you what you are doing and if they could be of nay help when it is plainly obvious they cannot?

[CA Conservative]

I’ll wager those witnesses could be demolished on cross-examination.

Only if they were telling a story that isn't true. It's kind of hard to demolish a witness when you have 40 of them all telling the same story...

[Augustinian monk]

That reminds me of a comedian explaining why its ok to leave the scene after hitting a pedestrian.

“you’ve already caused enough problems”

“Better to clear the area so that the first responders can do their job”

[Islander7]

I’ll wager those witnesses could be demolished on cross-examination.

First question: Are you in the United States legally?

[Porterville]

Well in CA, I see the same 8 CHP’s sit for at least an hour in the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; sometimes just two or three sometimes 4 or 5. These fat jackasses are making over 100,000 per year with OT and they aren't even on the highway. They double dip retirement- these little princess are exactly why our state is broke along with the CTA and the prison guards.

[Porterville]

Yeah, I figured some racial BS would be posted instead of focusing on the issue.

[Hulka]

And we all know how fair reporters are when reporting a story involving minorities.

My gawd, the only time Christians are treated as trustworthy and honorable is when there is an altercation with the police. . .but then again, the officer is White and the “pastor” is hispanic.

[1rudeboy]

Only if they were telling a story that isn't true. It's kind of hard to demolish a witness when you have 40 of them all telling the same story....

Judging from the way this article is constructed, it should be safe to say that you would get 40 versions.

[Hulka]

Right.

A group would never lie to protect their pastor. After all, it is 40-1 against, so it must be true.

Dash-cam, hopefully, will resolve this.

[Ajnin]

At the same time, from the other side of the argument come accusations that officers targeted the church because the congregation is mostly illegal immigrants from Guatemala. Besides tasering the pastor, police also pepper-sprayed to congregation to disperse them. They also dispute that Moran pushed the officer.

http://www.huliq.com/3257/83016/police-taser-pastor-church-parking-lot

I knew there was a lot more to the story.

[Hulka]

I’d say legitimate question and very relevant.