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Roy Moore, ex-Alabama chief justice, to aid Central church defying coronavirus order
The (Baton Rouge, LA) Advocate ^ | April 1, 2020 | David J. Mitchell

Posted on 04/01/2020 4:31:59 PM PDT by abb

Roy Moore, the former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice and two-time U.S. Senate candidate, will serve as an adviser for a Central pastor, and his church, during expected litigation over the religious leader's defiance of state orders limiting public gatherings to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Moore and the Rev. Tony Spell said Moore would represent Spell and the church, though it isn't clear yet in what capacity. Moore is a licensed lawyer in Alabama but isn't licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

Spell, pastor of Life Tabernacle Church in Central, was cited and arrested Tuesday with six misdemeanor counts of violating Gov. John Bel Edwards' order to limit the size of public gatherings. Hours later, he returned to the pulpit at his Hooper Road church.

East Baton Rouge Parish prosecutors formally charged Spell Wednesday on the original six counts.

Reached Wednesday in Montgomery, Alabama, Moore said that he would be at Life Tabernacle Church noon Thursday for a news conference about an impending legal battle, though he offered no specifics.

"Well, we'll talk about that tomorrow," Moore said.

In a recent Facebook video, Moore spoke about his concerns over coronavirus-related limits on religious worship and constitutional freedoms generally.

Moore is a conservative advocate of religious liberties who was removed as Alabama's chief judge in 2003 after defying a federal judge's order to remove a marble monument of the Ten Commandments from the state's high court.

He was reelected to the post in 2013 only to be removed again in 2016 over his defiance of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriages. He resigned almost year later to launch a run for U.S. Senate in that state, but lost to Democrat Doug Jones after allegations emerged that Moore had sexually assaulted women and teenage girls in his 30s, charges he denied. He ran again for U.S. Senate this spring but placed fourth in the Republican primary.

Spell did say Wednesday that six of his church members had been fired from their jobs due their attendance at his services since Edwards' emergency orders.

He said Moore would represent him as pastor of Life Tabernacle and the church "for defense of the Gospel, for the people who are losing their jobs, for my name being slandered by (Gov.) John Bel Edwards, for his arrest that I had to undergo yesterday and for the people who are afraid to come back to our church out of fear of persecution."

"So the purpose of this press conference is I want all the press that can be there, here, and we're going to make our final statement tomorrow," Spell added.

Spell said that since his service Tuesday night, he has not been cited or arrested again. He held service even as Louisiana recorded its deadliest day from the virus, with 54 new deaths statewide, and more than 5,200 confirmed cases.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: central; church; corona; louisiana; roymoore
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The latest.
1 posted on 04/01/2020 4:31:59 PM PDT by abb
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To: abb

the damn fool, adam schiff like, is seeking attention


2 posted on 04/01/2020 4:34:07 PM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. N.C. +12) Progressives are existential American enemies)
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To: bert

Now you know why so many people in Alabama loathe this fool.


3 posted on 04/01/2020 4:35:32 PM PDT by Himyar (Comes A Stillness)
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To: bert

Moore is an attorney, no? Can’t he advocate for his client? Didn’t John Adams, our second POTUS, defend some of the accused in the Boston Massacre?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams#Counsel_for_the_British:_Boston_Massacre


4 posted on 04/01/2020 4:37:21 PM PDT by abb
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To: abb

Oh, please. Stop, Roy.


5 posted on 04/01/2020 4:37:28 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: Pearls Before Swine

Isn’t an accused entitled to counsel?


6 posted on 04/01/2020 4:38:46 PM PDT by abb
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To: abb

Certifiable


7 posted on 04/01/2020 4:41:46 PM PDT by USNA74
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To: abb

Media whore. There’s nothing Moore can do for the church if he isn’t licensed in Louisiana.


8 posted on 04/01/2020 4:43:26 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: USNA74

Your allies?

https://www.theroot.com/for-the-love-of-god-rev-al-sharpton-urges-religious-l-1842621389

For the Love of God: Rev. Al Sharpton Urges Religious Leaders to Take Easter and Holy Week Services Offline


9 posted on 04/01/2020 4:44:11 PM PDT by abb
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To: abb
Isn’t an accused entitled to counsel?

Shouldn't the accused retain counsel that is licensed to practice in their state?

10 posted on 04/01/2020 4:44:38 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: abb

Roy, Roy, Roy...

For crying out loud.


11 posted on 04/01/2020 4:46:15 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Some of the folks around these parts have been sniffing super flu.<br>)
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To: DoodleDawg

Not so. He is an attorney, and former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He stood resolute on issues that FReepers used to claim fealty to.

His legal advice is useful. He merely cannot argue in a Louisiana court. Others will carry that water.


12 posted on 04/01/2020 4:47:00 PM PDT by abb
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To: abb

For Roy, advocacy here is a bad look.

The congregation can hire a lawyer, of course, but I’m not sure Roy is the best choice for them, especially if he’s seeking the limelight.


13 posted on 04/01/2020 4:47:38 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: abb

Attorneys have been telling people, these orders aren’t legal.


14 posted on 04/01/2020 4:47:48 PM PDT by yldstrk (Bingo! We have a winner!)
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To: DoodleDawg

Never claimed to be counsel. Advisor. A licensed LA attorney will argue the case.


15 posted on 04/01/2020 4:48:03 PM PDT by abb
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To: abb

Jackass. I know two pastors who have this crap, one near death. Church gatherings like any other are high risk venues for contagion.


16 posted on 04/01/2020 4:48:34 PM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists...Socialists...Fascists & AntiFa...Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: yldstrk

And they ain’t.

“Nothing in this Chapter shall be interpreted to diminish the rights guaranteed to all persons under the Declaration of Rights of the Louisiana Constitution or the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. This Chapter shall not violate Article II (Distribution of Powers), Article III (Legislative Branch), or Article V (Judicial Branch) of the Louisiana Constitution. The courts shall be open, and every person shall have an adequate remedy by due process of law and justice, administered without denial, partiality, or unreasonable delay, for injury to him in his person, property, reputation, or other rights. The orders of all courts shall have their full force and effect. The legislature may call itself into session at any time and shall exercise its powers and duties. Its ability to enact law, appropriate funds, and confirm appointees shall be in full force. The privileges and immunities of legislators shall be respected.”

http://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=85685


17 posted on 04/01/2020 4:50:12 PM PDT by abb
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To: abb

I wonder if the news conference at the church will violate Gov. John Bel Edwards’ order to limit the size of public gatherings.


18 posted on 04/01/2020 4:51:44 PM PDT by philetus (Keep doing what you always do and you'll eventually get what you deserve)
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To: Caipirabob

Sheeple. See, I can call you names, too.


19 posted on 04/01/2020 4:51:44 PM PDT by abb
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To: yldstrk

“””””””Attorneys have been telling people, these orders aren’t legal.””””””””””””””

Once in awhile people need to use common sense. So what if the orders aren’t legal? Do they want to pack the church in defiance and then see how many people it kills?

Also, Roy Moore is a whackjob, Jim.


20 posted on 04/01/2020 4:52:06 PM PDT by shelterguy
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