Arizona Man Arrested For Burning, Urinating On The Bible
A 22-year-old Arizona man who calls himself “Dark Lord” was arrested for allegedly burning a Bible and urinating on it outside a Christian-oriented homeless shelter in northern Arizona, according to police.
Reuters reports that Eric Minerault was booked into jail late on Thursday on suspicion of one count of unlawful symbol burning stemming from the incident at the Gospel Rescue Mission, Prescott police spokesman Lieutenant Ken Morley said in a written statement.
[su_center_ad]At about 9:00 p.m. police were called to the scene by a mission representative reporting that someone was burning something on the mission’s front steps, Morley said.
When officers arrived, they found Minerault standing on the steps, with a burned and wet Bible on the ground near him. The suspect admitted to the act and told officers the mission was selected because he believed it was a place of Christian worship and he was “cursing the Christians,” according to police.
When officers asked him why, he said because he was the “Dark Lord.”
Minerault was wearing black as well as a black-and-red robe and a pentagram necklace.
Sheriff’s officials said he remained in jail on Friday afternoon on the misdemeanor charge.
According to Reuters, Dan Pochoda, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, said the arrest raises questions as to whether Minerault’s First Amendment freedom of speech rights were violated.
Pochoda did say he was not familiar with the charge cited, but added that courts have upheld laws that bar symbols like crosses from being burned.
H/T: My buddy @TomCinmidlife with thanks. [su_sky_ad]
Image: AP
tiredoftea August 29th, 2014 at 10:37 pm
Perhaps the “Dark Lord” will bring a stronger wand next time.
Dwendt44 August 29th, 2014 at 11:04 pm
I would think a charge of public urination would be more appropriate.
edmeyer_able August 30th, 2014 at 7:34 am
Wait…..THAT’S ILLEGAL?
Tommy6860 August 29th, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Arizona eh? I wonder if this guy was at one time, part of the gang that imagined invaders coming into their Florida meth lab.
neworleans878 August 29th, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Wonder if all those who defended Terry Jones’ desire to burn the Quran will defend this idiot.
M D Reese August 29th, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Three guesses? No, no, and no.
edmeyer_able August 29th, 2014 at 11:07 pm
courts have upheld laws that bar symbols like crosses from being burned.
—————————————————————————————————————-
While I don’t agree w/bible or quran burning that seems like thought police, however doing it on the steps of the mission could be considered vandalism, I imagine.
Clearwater1948 August 30th, 2014 at 12:30 am
If he would have urinated on the bible of Quran would he have been arrested of a hate crime so I ask whats the difference?
JimNauseam August 30th, 2014 at 12:36 am
I guess this is a bad time to admit I sometimes start my barbeque with one.
Clearwater1948 August 30th, 2014 at 12:54 am
If he would have urinated on the Quran would he have been arrested of a hate crime so I ask whats the difference?
edmeyer_able August 30th, 2014 at 7:44 am
I suppose you can urinate on most any book you want just not on private property or in public. Here have a cookie.
MarcoZandrini August 30th, 2014 at 9:49 am
No, he’d be awarded a medal by the mayor.
Dave Lanson August 30th, 2014 at 1:01 am
I guess it’s OK for wackos to burn the Quran or any other book that’s not holy to white people.
Adam J. Reizner August 30th, 2014 at 6:58 pm
Like Larry (klansman) Klayman? I’m white and no book is holy to me.
B. Allan Ross, BasherEliminatr August 30th, 2014 at 1:08 am
Clearly a devout man in his faith, I love the look of the mug shot. Thoroughly committed to his ceremony and now he’s established his connection with his Dark Flock as their Dark Lord, right? Pissing on a book where he did, then hanging around to be caught (make a few opening statements) tells me we’ll be hearing more from this Dark Lord dramatist.
Larry Schmitt August 30th, 2014 at 9:20 am
Works for me.
juicyfruityyy August 30th, 2014 at 1:10 am
I don’t think the Rescue Mission wants him back. Don’t want to risk him burning down the place or using his Dark Lord powers on the others.
Robby August 30th, 2014 at 8:40 am
As a Christian, I find it sad that folks are so full of hate that they resort to this type of behavior, including ALL other religions. I consider it is his free speech right and will be between him and God.
The most noted Christians started with a history far worse than this, most notably Saul/Paul.
Dwendt44 August 30th, 2014 at 11:06 am
Paul was Jewish.
Larry Schmitt August 30th, 2014 at 11:30 am
But he converted when he saw the light. Literally.
Dwendt44 August 30th, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Converted to what? Christianity didn’t exist until ‘the faith was opened to non Jewish followers. Until then, Jesus’s followers were just a Hebrew cult.
Larry Schmitt August 30th, 2014 at 9:19 am
So Mapplethorpe puts a crucifix in urine, and it’s art. This guy burns a bible and he goes to jail? When I read “unlawful symbol burning” I thought it was a joke. Never occurred to me there would actually be a law against it.
Adam J. Reizner August 30th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
It’s in a red state. It would never stand up to a Constitutional test before SCOTUS. They likely could get away with a law against burning things (in general) in public as a safety issue. Urination in public is a public health issue. He doesn’t strike me as having any kind of money so it depends on how much effort the ACLU will exert.
Carla Akins August 30th, 2014 at 10:57 am
I sure wish there had been video
Adam J. Reizner August 30th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Have one for yourself. The commentary is based on the specificity of the statute under which he was arrested. He wasn’t charged for setting a fire but for what he set fire to. That is a first amendment violation. It’s not that difficult to follow. Try to keep up while the grownups are talking.
Elliot J. Stamler August 30th, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Pochoda is right. The SC in the St. Paul case upheld banning the burning of a cross and held it not be violative of the first amendment as it was intimidatory to the blacks who could see it. That being so the chances are Minerault can beat the rap. That does not change the fact he is by his statements and appearance (check the neck tattoo) and apparel a complete hateful nutcase.
atunionbob August 31st, 2014 at 4:25 pm
So if a bush were to start burning and talking, pissing on it to put it out would be illegal? Hummmm where has that story been told before?