Posted on 01/08/2003 7:44:52 AM PST by Fixit
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- A federal jury has begun deliberations in a civil rights case involving a West Haven pastor arrested for loud preaching.
The jury began deliberations Tuesday on whether a West Haven police officer violated the Rev. Richard Mooore's constitutional rights when he arrested him in front of his congregation.
Moore and the Living Word Redemption Center, Inc. of West Haven filed the federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Detective Paul Raucci after the Aug. 16, 2000, incident.
(Excerpt) Read more at stamfordadvocate.com ...
Responding to a noise complaint, West Haven Police Detective Paul Raucci asked the Rev. to turn down the volume on his amplification equipment.
Rev. Moore was arrested for disorderly conduct, in front of his congregation.
Detective Raucci testified that people were kicking and punching him after he started to arrest the Rev, but that he "I had an obligation to the people who made the complaint" to make sure that the noise was stopped.
The prosecutor, fearing a political nightmare, declined to prosecute the Reverend.
The Reverend has now brought suit alleging that his right to free worship was violated, as well as his right to be free from false arrest.
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