Témoins de Jéhovah sous les feux de la justice internationale
Cette carte est conçue comme une base de données visuelle recensant les crimes commis par des membres de la communauté des Témoins de Jéhovah et portés à la connaissance du public. Son but n'est pas de stigmatiser les Témoins de Jéhovah comme des criminels, mais de dissiper les faux semblants entretenus par la société Watchtower et de mettre en lumière les effets pervers du fondamentalisme biblique.
Cette carte est mise à jour manuellement sur la base des plus récents rapports en provenance de la police, des tribunaux et des médias indépendants, mais elle ne donne pas une représentation exhaustive de tous les délits commis au sein des Témoins de Jéhovah. Seuls les crimes graves (meurtres, abus d'enfants, violences conjugales, suicides, morbidité relative aux interdits sanguins, etc.) y sont régulièrement répertoriés.
View Jehovah's Witness Crimes Worldwide in a larger map
Extraits de chroniques au 22 janvier 2014 :
JW's hire hitman to kill grandfather
"Maria Angelina Stallone, 44, and Dominic Anthony Natale, 46, are
accused of plotting to have their 83-year-old father Dominico Natale murdered
in September, 2006."
Source
Source
Two women sexually abused by elder
Two women who were sexually abused in their adolescence by a trusted older
relative say elders of their small-town Jehovah's Witness church did not report
the situation to police after the man admitted touching them inappropriately
during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Source
Source
JW elder, pedophile one of FBI's Most Wanted Fugitives
According to investigators, McLean used his position as a Jehovah's Witness
to lure young girls.
Source - Source 2
Source - Source 2
Two JW's murder 13 people on serial killing spree
Two twisted Jehovah's Witnesses have been arrested as suspected serial
killers, accused of murdering 13 people during a nine-month killing spree in
Russia.
Two JW elders con elderly woman out of over 7 million dollars
The largest case of fraud in the history of the state of Montana was
committed by two Jehovah's Witness elders - Darryl K. Willis and Dale
Erikson - who conspired to con a fellow church member out of over 7
million dollars.
Multiple independent sources have reported on this case over the
years, as the perpetrators seek parole and continue to show no remorse for
their crimes. It remains the largest case of theft in Montana history.
Parents prosecuted for forcing daughter to join the Jehovah's Witnesses,
expel her from her home when she refuses
"A Czech couple is prosecuted for
oppressing their 18-year-old daughter for her refusal to join the religious
society of which they are members, the Zlin police told CTK Wednesday.
The parents reportedly urged the girl, a secondary school student, to join the Jehova's Witnesses grouping. After she refused to do so, they expelled her from home.
If found guilty they face up to six months in prison.
The parents left the girl without financial means. They told her she may return home only on condition she joins Jehova's Witnesses.
"The daughter has already come of age, but she does not yet work to earn her living, therefore the parents are still obliged to support her," police spokeswoman Jana Bartikova said.
She said the crime of oppression, when a perpetrator abuses the someone else's dependence or emergency situation to force him/her to do something, occurs only rarely in the Zlin region.
Jehova's Witnesses present themselves as genuine Christians.
The Christian churches generally consider Jehova's Witnesses a sect, oppose their interpretation of the Bible and criticise their totalitarian organisation and ways to spread their views."
The parents reportedly urged the girl, a secondary school student, to join the Jehova's Witnesses grouping. After she refused to do so, they expelled her from home.
If found guilty they face up to six months in prison.
The parents left the girl without financial means. They told her she may return home only on condition she joins Jehova's Witnesses.
"The daughter has already come of age, but she does not yet work to earn her living, therefore the parents are still obliged to support her," police spokeswoman Jana Bartikova said.
She said the crime of oppression, when a perpetrator abuses the someone else's dependence or emergency situation to force him/her to do something, occurs only rarely in the Zlin region.
Jehova's Witnesses present themselves as genuine Christians.
The Christian churches generally consider Jehova's Witnesses a sect, oppose their interpretation of the Bible and criticise their totalitarian organisation and ways to spread their views."
Source: Prague Daily Monitor, April 30th 2009
Infant child murdered when JW mother refuses blood transfusion
"A newborn baby died at a Russian hospital after his mother, a
Jehova’s Witnesses adherent, rejected blood transfusion that he needed."
JW man jailed for attempted abduction of girl
"A FORMER teacher, businessman and senior Jehovah’s Witness who tried to
abduct a five-year-old was yesterday jailed for six years.Robert Edward Bill,
54, was told by a judge that he was still in denial about his predatory
interest in young children despite a series of convictions."
Convicted child murderer, rapist becomes Jehovahs Witness
THE monstrous stepdad of Baby P has become a JEHOVAH'S WITNESS in jail.
JW man sexually attacks elderly woman, jailed
"Daniel Simonetti, a Jehovah's Witness, let himself into the old
lady's home uninvited at 4.30pm on March 11 this year and, without bringing her
medication, locked the door of her Ashton home and molested her.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Simonetti, 31, had indecently assaulted a four-year-old girl 13 years ago. He never appeared in court over that, as the police gave him a caution."
Source
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Simonetti, 31, had indecently assaulted a four-year-old girl 13 years ago. He never appeared in court over that, as the police gave him a caution."
Source
Jehovah's Witness murders girlfriend's father in revenge shooting
"An RAF veteran shot dead his girlfriend's Jehovah's Witness father in
revenge for ending the couple's ' forbidden' love affair.
Jonathan Cock opened fire with a hunting rifle when Danielle Hustler, 20, refused to see him after they split up.
The 24-year-old felt that even though he had become a Jehovah's Witness himself, he had never truly been accepted and blamed her devout parents for the break-up."
Source
Jonathan Cock opened fire with a hunting rifle when Danielle Hustler, 20, refused to see him after they split up.
The 24-year-old felt that even though he had become a Jehovah's Witness himself, he had never truly been accepted and blamed her devout parents for the break-up."
Source
Jehovah's Witness mother decapitates, cannibalizes infant child
"The cannibal mother who killed and ate parts of her three-week-old
baby boy refused to take medication for her post-natal depression, her son's
father said.
Otty Sanchez had been going to regular counselling and had been briefly hospitalised since the boy was born in the Texas city of San Antonio.
But the 33-year-old's troubles only became apparent to authorities when they found her before dawn on Sunday, in a house where she had access to samurai swords, screaming that she had killed her baby.
Her three-and-a-half-week-old son was dismembered in a scene so gruesome police officers have been forced to seek psychological help."
"Acquaintances described Sanchez and her mother as devout Jehovah's Witnesses.'They would come up to our door every so often, but I told them I was Catholic, so they left,' said Elaine Calchin."
Source - Source 2 - Source 3
Otty Sanchez had been going to regular counselling and had been briefly hospitalised since the boy was born in the Texas city of San Antonio.
But the 33-year-old's troubles only became apparent to authorities when they found her before dawn on Sunday, in a house where she had access to samurai swords, screaming that she had killed her baby.
Her three-and-a-half-week-old son was dismembered in a scene so gruesome police officers have been forced to seek psychological help."
"Acquaintances described Sanchez and her mother as devout Jehovah's Witnesses.'They would come up to our door every so often, but I told them I was Catholic, so they left,' said Elaine Calchin."
Source - Source 2 - Source 3
Parents refuse blood transfusion for child, President of Georgia intervenes
"President Saakashvili made a televised intervention in a case
involving a four-year-old girl’s medical treatment, who required blood
transfusion after sustaining burn injuries.
Reportedly her parents, who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, refused to allow doctors to administer blood transfusion because of their religious belief and doctors allowed parents to take the girl back home after they signed a special form absolving doctors from responsibility.
Late on June 8 President Saakashvili met with Healthcare Minister, Sandro Kvitashvili, on the matter. Television stations showed on June 9, 2009 the footage of the meeting in which Saakashvili tells the Minister: “Are we the state or simply helpless observers? No matter how the law will be interpreted by various people. To save the life of a person, especially of a little child, is above their [parents’] religious beliefs or, lets say it directly, their whim and absolute unawareness and also above of any normative acts. I categorically demand to return this child back to hospital within next few hours. I instruct police and prosecutor’s office to intervene and to bring this child [back to hospital] even with force if necessary and if other methods do not work. We should never allow in future that in the similar situation, when it is possible to save a person, either your doctors, or the law and state agencies appear in a helpless situation. It is absolutely unimaginable. Act immediately. I am not interested either in the opinions of her parents in this situation or anything else. Go, bring and save her. Then, the issue of such parents should be discussed separately by court.”
Then the television pictures showed patrol policemen taking the girl, lying on a stretcher, from the ambulance vehicle and bringing her into the hospital. "
Source - Source 2 (video)
Reportedly her parents, who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, refused to allow doctors to administer blood transfusion because of their religious belief and doctors allowed parents to take the girl back home after they signed a special form absolving doctors from responsibility.
Late on June 8 President Saakashvili met with Healthcare Minister, Sandro Kvitashvili, on the matter. Television stations showed on June 9, 2009 the footage of the meeting in which Saakashvili tells the Minister: “Are we the state or simply helpless observers? No matter how the law will be interpreted by various people. To save the life of a person, especially of a little child, is above their [parents’] religious beliefs or, lets say it directly, their whim and absolute unawareness and also above of any normative acts. I categorically demand to return this child back to hospital within next few hours. I instruct police and prosecutor’s office to intervene and to bring this child [back to hospital] even with force if necessary and if other methods do not work. We should never allow in future that in the similar situation, when it is possible to save a person, either your doctors, or the law and state agencies appear in a helpless situation. It is absolutely unimaginable. Act immediately. I am not interested either in the opinions of her parents in this situation or anything else. Go, bring and save her. Then, the issue of such parents should be discussed separately by court.”
Then the television pictures showed patrol policemen taking the girl, lying on a stretcher, from the ambulance vehicle and bringing her into the hospital. "
Source - Source 2 (video)
Jehovah's Witness man sentenced to life in prison for murdering wife
"A Murrieta man convicted of murdering his longtime wife and making
the killing look like it was done by an intruder will spend the rest of his
life in prison without the possibility of parole, a judge ruled Friday.
Kelle Lee Jarka, 41 at the time of his trial, showed no reaction as Judge Timothy Freer confirmed the sentence indicated by Jarka’s conviction for first-degree murder. A jury deliberated about two hours in September before deciding Jarka murdered his wife, Isabelle, and that the killing was for financial gain, a finding that made him ineligible for parole.
Jarka showed no reaction as Judge Freer sentenced him to the maximum penalty. He called Jarka “evil” and said the evidence was overwhelming.
The sentence followed statements from Jarka’s brother-in-law and those of Isabelle’s family. Jarka continued to deny his guilt and told the judge he misses his wife.
He told the judge that one day he will be exonerated.
Prosecutors successfully argued Jarka, who was having financial problems, wanted to collect $1.3 million in life insurance on a policy he had taken out on his wife of nearly 20 years. The prosecutor described Jarka as a man so enamored with his upper-middle-class lifestyle and position within his congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that he was willing to sacrifice the life of his loving wife to maintain it.
Defense attorney Erin Kirkpatrick told jurors Kelle Jarka was a peaceful man and a loving husband who did not kill his wife. Kirkpatrick said the Jarka’s finances were unstable, but their fiscal picture was not dire. Despite the best efforts of Murrieta police, she said, there was no physical evidence linking her client to Isabelle’s brutal death.
Isabelle Jarka suffered almost a dozen blows to her head with a blunt object resulting in a fracture to her skull and injuries to her brain, Dr. Joseph Cohen testified."
Source 1 - Source 2
Kelle Lee Jarka, 41 at the time of his trial, showed no reaction as Judge Timothy Freer confirmed the sentence indicated by Jarka’s conviction for first-degree murder. A jury deliberated about two hours in September before deciding Jarka murdered his wife, Isabelle, and that the killing was for financial gain, a finding that made him ineligible for parole.
Jarka showed no reaction as Judge Freer sentenced him to the maximum penalty. He called Jarka “evil” and said the evidence was overwhelming.
The sentence followed statements from Jarka’s brother-in-law and those of Isabelle’s family. Jarka continued to deny his guilt and told the judge he misses his wife.
He told the judge that one day he will be exonerated.
Prosecutors successfully argued Jarka, who was having financial problems, wanted to collect $1.3 million in life insurance on a policy he had taken out on his wife of nearly 20 years. The prosecutor described Jarka as a man so enamored with his upper-middle-class lifestyle and position within his congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that he was willing to sacrifice the life of his loving wife to maintain it.
Defense attorney Erin Kirkpatrick told jurors Kelle Jarka was a peaceful man and a loving husband who did not kill his wife. Kirkpatrick said the Jarka’s finances were unstable, but their fiscal picture was not dire. Despite the best efforts of Murrieta police, she said, there was no physical evidence linking her client to Isabelle’s brutal death.
Isabelle Jarka suffered almost a dozen blows to her head with a blunt object resulting in a fracture to her skull and injuries to her brain, Dr. Joseph Cohen testified."
Source 1 - Source 2
Man murdered by illegal immigrant Jehovah's Witness wife
"DELRAN - A woman who authorities have identified as an illegal
immigrant from Trinidad was charged Monday with fatally stabbing her husband
during an early-morning domestic dispute.
Kesi C. Cole, 25, was charged with murder in connection with the death of her husband, Eric J. Cole, 29, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.
Authorities said Eric Cole died as a result of a stab wound to his neck.
Authorities allege the couple became involved in a verbal dispute about 1:45 a.m. Monday inside their apartment in the Hunters Glen complex located in the 3000 block of Route 130.
During the argument, the couple entered their kitchen, where Kesi Cole allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed her husband, authorities said.
Eric Cole was pronounced dead at the scene at short time later.
Kesi Cole was arrested and is being held in lieu of $750,000 bail, authorities said.
Authorities said they, with the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, have confirmed that Kesi Cole is an illegal immigrant and a native of Trinidad."
Source 1 - Source 2
Kesi C. Cole, 25, was charged with murder in connection with the death of her husband, Eric J. Cole, 29, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.
Authorities said Eric Cole died as a result of a stab wound to his neck.
Authorities allege the couple became involved in a verbal dispute about 1:45 a.m. Monday inside their apartment in the Hunters Glen complex located in the 3000 block of Route 130.
During the argument, the couple entered their kitchen, where Kesi Cole allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed her husband, authorities said.
Eric Cole was pronounced dead at the scene at short time later.
Kesi Cole was arrested and is being held in lieu of $750,000 bail, authorities said.
Authorities said they, with the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, have confirmed that Kesi Cole is an illegal immigrant and a native of Trinidad."
Source 1 - Source 2
JW elder arrested for indecent exposure at public library
"CINCINNATI - A Price Hill man was arrested on a charge of public
indecency by Cincinnati police after allegedly exposing himself inside a local
library.
Clyde Calvin Boles, 52, was charged Monday night at the Cincinnati Public
Library at 800 Vine Street.
Boles was allegedly seen indecently exposed by a patron of the library. Boles allegedly told police he had an itch from a bug bite.
The arrest is the latest in a growing number of arrests at the library
branch. Most recently a man was arrested for urinating on several books
there."
Jehovah's Witness "Night Stalker" repeatedly raped, assaulted,
burglarized in South London
"A Jehovah's Witness accused of raping and
sexually assaulting 11 elderly women during a series of burglaries over the
past 17 years could face further charges.
A district judge handed Delroy Grant, 52, back to
detectives hunting a London sex attacker known as the "night
stalker".
Grant appeared at Greenwich Magistrates' Court charged
with five rapes, six indecent assaults and 11 burglaries."
Found guilty, jailed for 27 years: Source
How the Night Stalker used his position as a Jehovah's
Witness to seek out and select his rape victims: Source
Court fights to save girl's life, JW parents refuse blood transfusion for
child
"Doctors at the Colonial War Memorial
(CWM) Hospital had to seek a court order last week, to save four-year-old girl
Sera Rosi Ratu as her parent's religious beliefs had not allowed the medical
team for a blood transfusion."
Jehovah's Witness man, broker steals $600,000 in ponzi scheme
"The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority announced Monday that
broker Kenneth George Neely took $600,000 from at least 25 victims, claiming he
would invest it in a fictitious investment club..."
"Federal regulators have permanently barred a St. Louis broker from operating after he admitted to a Ponzi scheme involving customers of AXA Advisors; Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc.; as well as family, friends and fellow church members."
"Neely portrayed membership in the investment club as exclusive. He told a retiree, a longtime friend and fellow church member (Neely is a Jehovah's Witness) that he would tell her when "openings" occurred in the club. "Seven or eight" other church members invested in the scam, said James Shorris, executive vice president at FINRA. "In no sense were these sophisticated investors," he added."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3 - Source 4 - Source 5
"Federal regulators have permanently barred a St. Louis broker from operating after he admitted to a Ponzi scheme involving customers of AXA Advisors; Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc.; as well as family, friends and fellow church members."
"Neely portrayed membership in the investment club as exclusive. He told a retiree, a longtime friend and fellow church member (Neely is a Jehovah's Witness) that he would tell her when "openings" occurred in the club. "Seven or eight" other church members invested in the scam, said James Shorris, executive vice president at FINRA. "In no sense were these sophisticated investors," he added."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3 - Source 4 - Source 5
82-year old man storms Kingdom Hall with machine gun
"Bielefeld, Germany - An elderly man who stormed a gathering of
Jehovah's Witnesses Thursday, armed with a machine gun, had planned a rampage,
police in the northern German city of Bielefeld said on Friday. The
82-year-old, who burst into the community centre Thursday evening, had written
private notes announcing his intention to fire a gun into the gathering, the
police said."
Source
Source
JW's kidnapping children from hospitals to avoid blood transfusions
"Police in New Brunswick were already out looking for the child when,
according to Ms. Ryder, she hid him and his mother in her Dodge Omni and drove
them to Fredericton, away from children's aid officials who might have forced
the son of Jehovah's Witnesses to accept a blood transfusion.
Fellow officials of the Church then took over, whisking the child to their Canadian headquarters, she says."
Source
Fellow officials of the Church then took over, whisking the child to their Canadian headquarters, she says."
Source
Police question JW's in connection to burglaries
"“I suspect they slid the screen over, opened the window and slid
themselves in,” said Nowading. “Why did they have to take my stuff?”"
Convicted sexual predator, JW elder appeals
"A former teacher and church official jailed for attempting to abduct
a five-year-old child is appealing against his convictions.
Robert Bill, 54, of St Asaph, Denbighshire, was told by a judge that he had an "unhealthy sexual and predatory interest in children".
He has also been convicted separately of indecently assaulting a young girl, and possessing 730 indecent images.
The case will be heard at the Court of Appeal in London later this year.
Bill, a senior Jehovah's Witness, taught art and design for 16 years before setting up a playground equipment company in 1991, then later a play company with his sons called Play Zone."
Robert Bill, 54, of St Asaph, Denbighshire, was told by a judge that he had an "unhealthy sexual and predatory interest in children".
He has also been convicted separately of indecently assaulting a young girl, and possessing 730 indecent images.
The case will be heard at the Court of Appeal in London later this year.
Bill, a senior Jehovah's Witness, taught art and design for 16 years before setting up a playground equipment company in 1991, then later a play company with his sons called Play Zone."
SourceJW sexually abuses stepchildren, church does nothing
"A former Shannon freezing worker who physically and sexually abused
his stepchildren will spend five years in prison.
The 45-year-old man, who cannot be named because it would identify his victims, was sentenced in Levin District Court yesterday on 10 historic charges of indecent assault and assault, which occurred between 1991 and 1996 at the family home in Shannon.
The names of his victims, three children and ex-wife, were suppressed. Two of the victims and the man's elderly parents sat at the back of the court.
From the age of 7, his stepdaughter had endured sexual abuse that led to the man facing four charges of indecent assault and a charge of assault.
He would creep into her bedroom and touch her genitalia and in later years forced her to touch his penis, the court heard.
Two boys under the age of 14 and the girl were beaten with a kettle cord, leather belts, wooden spoons and sticks, which led to four charges of assault.
One of the boys came forward last year and laid a complaint with police.
The man was also charged with assaulting his ex-wife. The children would often witness the beatings, Judge Grant Fraser told the court. "The effect on all of the victims made chilling reading. The effects will stay with them for the rest of their lives."
The victims lived in constant fear of the man "flying into a rage", Judge Fraser said.
The victims' issues with drugs, alcohol and violence stemmed from the years of beatings and abuse, Judge Fraser said. "Your offending blighted the children's potential and has ruined their lives."
Lawyer Keith Becker said as a child the man had been subjected to violence condoned by the Jehovah's Witness church, of which his family was a part.
Judge Grant Fraser interrupted: "Are you suggesting that the Jehovah's Witness church justifies this type of violence? I imagine they would be somewhat surprised to hear that."
Mr Becker said the church "didn't take these matters lightly" and had set up its own "court" to deal with the man's actions."
The 45-year-old man, who cannot be named because it would identify his victims, was sentenced in Levin District Court yesterday on 10 historic charges of indecent assault and assault, which occurred between 1991 and 1996 at the family home in Shannon.
The names of his victims, three children and ex-wife, were suppressed. Two of the victims and the man's elderly parents sat at the back of the court.
From the age of 7, his stepdaughter had endured sexual abuse that led to the man facing four charges of indecent assault and a charge of assault.
He would creep into her bedroom and touch her genitalia and in later years forced her to touch his penis, the court heard.
Two boys under the age of 14 and the girl were beaten with a kettle cord, leather belts, wooden spoons and sticks, which led to four charges of assault.
One of the boys came forward last year and laid a complaint with police.
The man was also charged with assaulting his ex-wife. The children would often witness the beatings, Judge Grant Fraser told the court. "The effect on all of the victims made chilling reading. The effects will stay with them for the rest of their lives."
The victims lived in constant fear of the man "flying into a rage", Judge Fraser said.
The victims' issues with drugs, alcohol and violence stemmed from the years of beatings and abuse, Judge Fraser said. "Your offending blighted the children's potential and has ruined their lives."
Lawyer Keith Becker said as a child the man had been subjected to violence condoned by the Jehovah's Witness church, of which his family was a part.
Judge Grant Fraser interrupted: "Are you suggesting that the Jehovah's Witness church justifies this type of violence? I imagine they would be somewhat surprised to hear that."
Mr Becker said the church "didn't take these matters lightly" and had set up its own "court" to deal with the man's actions."
JW Ministerial Servant Michael Porter, convicted sex offender goes free
"A Jehovah’s Witness who used his position in the Church to sexually
abuse young children walked free from court yesterday.
Michael Porter was entrusted with children as a ministerial servant of the church in Clevedon, Somerset. At Bristol Crown Court yesterday he admitted 24 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency on children, one of whom was an 18-month-old baby, over 14 years.
Judge Tom Crowther decided not to jail Porter and instead issued a three-year community rehabilitation order after the court was told that he had undergone therapy."
Source
Michael Porter was entrusted with children as a ministerial servant of the church in Clevedon, Somerset. At Bristol Crown Court yesterday he admitted 24 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency on children, one of whom was an 18-month-old baby, over 14 years.
Judge Tom Crowther decided not to jail Porter and instead issued a three-year community rehabilitation order after the court was told that he had undergone therapy."
Source
Jehovah's Witness elder groomed young girls for sexual abuse
"A RESPECTED Jehovah's Witness who served as an elder betrayed the
trust placed in him by abusing young girls.
James Michael O'Brien followed one schoolgirl into a kitchen when she was alone away from adults making tea at meetings he was hosting.
He pulled her towards him, sexually assaulted her and began to kiss her.
On another occasion he conducted a further sexual assault, Richard Wright prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court yesterday."
Source
James Michael O'Brien followed one schoolgirl into a kitchen when she was alone away from adults making tea at meetings he was hosting.
He pulled her towards him, sexually assaulted her and began to kiss her.
On another occasion he conducted a further sexual assault, Richard Wright prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court yesterday."
Source
Car Dealership owned by Jehovah's Witnesses has license revoked due to
fraud
"GREENVILLE, Mich (WOOD) - Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land
announced Friday she suspended the license of La Fond Auto Sales in Greenville
as a result of a fraud investigation by her department.
The used car dealership at 4213 West Carson City Road was found to have sold extended warranties to 34 customers without having sent the money to the warranty company.
"Our investigation found that La Fond Auto Sales was selling nonexistent warranty coverage to unsuspecting used car buyers. Preying on Michigan residents will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate consequences," Land said in a statement. "The vast majority of auto dealers represent their industry with integrity. But if a bad apple surfaces, we will move swiftly to protect the hard-working families of this state."
During the investigation, the La Fonds were told to stop selling the fake warranties to customers. Despite this, the dealership continued the activity.
The Michigan State Police is pursuing a criminal investigation of the owners for obtaining money under false pretenses.
24 Hour News 8 will have more as this story continues to develop."
The used car dealership at 4213 West Carson City Road was found to have sold extended warranties to 34 customers without having sent the money to the warranty company.
"Our investigation found that La Fond Auto Sales was selling nonexistent warranty coverage to unsuspecting used car buyers. Preying on Michigan residents will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate consequences," Land said in a statement. "The vast majority of auto dealers represent their industry with integrity. But if a bad apple surfaces, we will move swiftly to protect the hard-working families of this state."
During the investigation, the La Fonds were told to stop selling the fake warranties to customers. Despite this, the dealership continued the activity.
The Michigan State Police is pursuing a criminal investigation of the owners for obtaining money under false pretenses.
24 Hour News 8 will have more as this story continues to develop."
Devout Jehovah's Witness murders 8 in shooting spree
"Three teenagers and a 4-year-old boy were among the eight victims of
a Virginia gunman, according to authorities in Appomattox say. Security guard
Christopher Speight has been charged with first-degree murder in the shootings,
which claimed the lives of his sister-in-law, her teen daughter, her husband,
and the couple's young son, along with another couple and two teenagers.
Speight lived at the house where the killings took place, which police found rigged with explosives. No clear motive has emerged for the shootings but friends say Speight feared he was going to be forced out of the home by his sister and her husband. The devout Jehovah's Witness had changed in recent months, becoming increasingly detached and anxious, friends and colleagues tell the Washington Post."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3
Speight lived at the house where the killings took place, which police found rigged with explosives. No clear motive has emerged for the shootings but friends say Speight feared he was going to be forced out of the home by his sister and her husband. The devout Jehovah's Witness had changed in recent months, becoming increasingly detached and anxious, friends and colleagues tell the Washington Post."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3
Dixon Sexually Abused, attacked by samurai sword, by mother and other
Jehovah's Witnesses
"The sister of murder-accused Antonie Dixon has described the physical
and emotional abuse her brother suffered as a child at the hands of their
mother and elders from the Jehovah's Witness church to which she belonged.
In the High Court at Auckland, Carla Dixon-Foxley today gave graphic examples of the abuse their mother Belle subjected Dixon to, calling her a sick woman.
Dixon, 40, faces eight charges relating to incidents that occurred in January 2003 when Renee Gunbie and Simonne Butler were attacked with a samurai sword at Pipiroa near Thames and James Te Aute was shot dead in Auckland."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3 - Source 4 - Source 5
In the High Court at Auckland, Carla Dixon-Foxley today gave graphic examples of the abuse their mother Belle subjected Dixon to, calling her a sick woman.
Dixon, 40, faces eight charges relating to incidents that occurred in January 2003 when Renee Gunbie and Simonne Butler were attacked with a samurai sword at Pipiroa near Thames and James Te Aute was shot dead in Auckland."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3 - Source 4 - Source 5
Jehovah's Witness commits largest corporate fraud in history of Australia -
steals $100 million
"In 1992 Johnston, a Jehovah's Witness who sometimes preached door to
door, had started with an improbable goal: He would make a fortune selling
nothing more than a concept. It was a magic pill that cut emission and made
fuel last longer."
Source
Source
Jehovah's Witness man found guilt of sexually assaulting Minnie Mouse at
Disney World
"A 60-year-old Schuylkill County man was found guilty Tuesday of
groping a woman dressed as Minnie Mouse while he and his family were visiting
Walt Disney World in Florida.
John W. Moyer of Cressona was convicted of battery by a jury in Orange County Court in central Florida.
Judge Wayne Shoemaker sentenced Moyer to 180 days of probation, 50 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine. Moyer also must undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment, if necessary.
The judge also ordered Moyer to write a letter of apology to the victim, Brittney D. McGoldrick, who is an employee of the amusement resort.
Moyer did not testify during the trial.
After the verdict, he spoke to an Orlando television crew in the hallway outside the courtroom.
"I am not guilty, and I pray to Jehovah, God, that he has mercy on Miss McGoldrick and the jury," Moyer said to WFTV 9. "I'm sorry they came up with the wrong verdict.
"We were having a fun time at Disney and she (McGoldrick) took it the wrong way."
No one answered the telephone at Moyer's residence in Cressona on Tuesday night.
Investigators from the Orange County sheriff's office said Moyer, who is a grandfather, groped the Minnie Mouse character June 7 shortly after 2 p.m. in the Toon Town greeting area of the Magic Kingdom.
McGoldrick told the court that she was greeting children when Moyer approached and gave her a hug.
She said she hugged him but then he grabbed her buttocks and her breasts. She said she pushed him away.
Investigators said three other Disney workers saw the incident and gave police sworn statements backing McGoldrick's account.
Prosecutors also had photographs they said showed Moyer groping Minnie Mouse and being pushed away.
"He just came right at me," McGoldrick testified. "He just laughed the whole entire time and didn't make any apology for it, didn't have any other reaction other than laughing. So I feel it was blatantly done on purpose.
"It was a really creepy, creepy laugh."
The jury found Moyer guilty of battery.
Moyer's son, Emory Moyer, told the judge his father is a good man.
The defendant told the judge he never had been arrested before or even received a traffic ticket.
Police tracked Moyer down at the park after the incident was reported to them. He was arrested but posted $1,000 bail and remained free awaiting trial.
Zoraya Suarez, a Walt Disney World spokeswoman, said: "The verdict reinforces the fact that this type of behavior is not acceptable.
"Disney has banned Moyer from all of its parks and attractions.""
Source
John W. Moyer of Cressona was convicted of battery by a jury in Orange County Court in central Florida.
Judge Wayne Shoemaker sentenced Moyer to 180 days of probation, 50 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine. Moyer also must undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment, if necessary.
The judge also ordered Moyer to write a letter of apology to the victim, Brittney D. McGoldrick, who is an employee of the amusement resort.
Moyer did not testify during the trial.
After the verdict, he spoke to an Orlando television crew in the hallway outside the courtroom.
"I am not guilty, and I pray to Jehovah, God, that he has mercy on Miss McGoldrick and the jury," Moyer said to WFTV 9. "I'm sorry they came up with the wrong verdict.
"We were having a fun time at Disney and she (McGoldrick) took it the wrong way."
No one answered the telephone at Moyer's residence in Cressona on Tuesday night.
Investigators from the Orange County sheriff's office said Moyer, who is a grandfather, groped the Minnie Mouse character June 7 shortly after 2 p.m. in the Toon Town greeting area of the Magic Kingdom.
McGoldrick told the court that she was greeting children when Moyer approached and gave her a hug.
She said she hugged him but then he grabbed her buttocks and her breasts. She said she pushed him away.
Investigators said three other Disney workers saw the incident and gave police sworn statements backing McGoldrick's account.
Prosecutors also had photographs they said showed Moyer groping Minnie Mouse and being pushed away.
"He just came right at me," McGoldrick testified. "He just laughed the whole entire time and didn't make any apology for it, didn't have any other reaction other than laughing. So I feel it was blatantly done on purpose.
"It was a really creepy, creepy laugh."
The jury found Moyer guilty of battery.
Moyer's son, Emory Moyer, told the judge his father is a good man.
The defendant told the judge he never had been arrested before or even received a traffic ticket.
Police tracked Moyer down at the park after the incident was reported to them. He was arrested but posted $1,000 bail and remained free awaiting trial.
Zoraya Suarez, a Walt Disney World spokeswoman, said: "The verdict reinforces the fact that this type of behavior is not acceptable.
"Disney has banned Moyer from all of its parks and attractions.""
Source
Jehovah's Witness enters Catholic church, attacks priest
"FORT WORTH - It appears to be a battle of faiths after a priest of a
small Catholic church and a Jehovah's Witness got into an altercation in Fort
Worth.
The Jehovah's Witness has accused Father John Parnell, a priest at the St. Augustine Mexican Catholic Church in Fort Worth, of assaulting him after he knocked on Parnell's door. However, Parnell said it was he who was attacked.
"So, the man comes in and tells my daughter right off, he says, 'You are going to be burned into the eternal fires of Gehenna if you don't listen to what I say,'" Parnell said.
The priest said that was the match that lit the fuse. He said he is tired of Jehovah's Witnesses coming into the St. Augustine church, which is not affiliated with the Fort Worth Diocese.
He said Jehovah's Witnesses came into the church on Easter Sunday during Mass.
"They walked right in and started handing out literature while people are sitting on the pews," Parnell said.
When Jehovah's Witnesses recently came to his door, Parnell said he attempted to escort them out after one of the men allegedly knocked his Bible to the floor.
"He said, 'This place is teaching lies and I am here to bring you the truth,'" he said.
Parnell said the men then dragged him down the street and beat him.
However, according to a police report, Parnell is the suspect in the altercation.
"The next thing you know, there was a haymaker that came out of left field there and went down the side of his face," said Harry Dwinell, a witness, of allegedly seeing the priest hit the Jehovah's Witness.
Dwinell, who called police, said he saw the whole incident from the first punch.
Parnell was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and gave an officer his side of the story. He claims to have witnesses of his own.
WFAA was unable to contact the Jehovah's Witnesses involved in the incident."
Source
The Jehovah's Witness has accused Father John Parnell, a priest at the St. Augustine Mexican Catholic Church in Fort Worth, of assaulting him after he knocked on Parnell's door. However, Parnell said it was he who was attacked.
"So, the man comes in and tells my daughter right off, he says, 'You are going to be burned into the eternal fires of Gehenna if you don't listen to what I say,'" Parnell said.
The priest said that was the match that lit the fuse. He said he is tired of Jehovah's Witnesses coming into the St. Augustine church, which is not affiliated with the Fort Worth Diocese.
He said Jehovah's Witnesses came into the church on Easter Sunday during Mass.
"They walked right in and started handing out literature while people are sitting on the pews," Parnell said.
When Jehovah's Witnesses recently came to his door, Parnell said he attempted to escort them out after one of the men allegedly knocked his Bible to the floor.
"He said, 'This place is teaching lies and I am here to bring you the truth,'" he said.
Parnell said the men then dragged him down the street and beat him.
However, according to a police report, Parnell is the suspect in the altercation.
"The next thing you know, there was a haymaker that came out of left field there and went down the side of his face," said Harry Dwinell, a witness, of allegedly seeing the priest hit the Jehovah's Witness.
Dwinell, who called police, said he saw the whole incident from the first punch.
Parnell was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and gave an officer his side of the story. He claims to have witnesses of his own.
WFAA was unable to contact the Jehovah's Witnesses involved in the incident."
Source
Jehovah's Witness parents disown son for receiving blood transfusion, storm
hospital, arrested
"A Jehovah Witness man, Kwabena Afum and his wife, Margret Afum aka
Abena Oduma, have had a brush with the law after creating an unnecessary
chaotic scene at New Edubiase Government Hospital in a bid to prevent medical
officers from giving blood to their son.
Kwabena Afum was arrested last week Tuesday and granted a police enquiry bail the next day for causing panic and chaos by allegedly mobilizing some members of his church to foment trouble at the hospital."
Kwabena Afum was arrested last week Tuesday and granted a police enquiry bail the next day for causing panic and chaos by allegedly mobilizing some members of his church to foment trouble at the hospital."
Convicted felon, JW pedophile sues to attend kingdom hall
"A Jehovah's Witness who was convicted of felony attempted sexual
abuse has sued the State of Ohio, claiming it unconstitutionally prohibits him
from practicing his religion by proselytizing door-to-door more than once a
month."
JW sex offender can't worship with minors
"The state Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a sex offender who
wanted to worship with a Manchester congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses after
he was released from prison in 2008.
In an opinion issued yesterday, the justices rejected 36-year-old Jonathan Perfetto's argument that the conditions of his suspended prison sentences - which require he have no contact with minors under age 17 - had violated his right to religious freedom.
"The defendant's freedom of belief has not been restricted," the justices wrote. "He may still practice his religion in ways that do not violate the condition of his sentences," including the use of books and video and audio recordings.
Perfetto could also participate in Bible study sessions or meet with congregation elders when children weren't present, the justices said."
Source
In an opinion issued yesterday, the justices rejected 36-year-old Jonathan Perfetto's argument that the conditions of his suspended prison sentences - which require he have no contact with minors under age 17 - had violated his right to religious freedom.
"The defendant's freedom of belief has not been restricted," the justices wrote. "He may still practice his religion in ways that do not violate the condition of his sentences," including the use of books and video and audio recordings.
Perfetto could also participate in Bible study sessions or meet with congregation elders when children weren't present, the justices said."
Source
Jehovah's Witness who committed pedophilia, rape for decades
"A PENSIONER branded a "filthy paedophile" after being
convicted of a barrage of sustained child abuse, which started over 43 years
ago, has been jailed for 19 years.
Gordon Brian Redmond was convicted at Lewes Crown Court of 18 indecent assaults against children — including six charges of rape — and one charge of actual bodily harm.
The 72-year-old had already pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault against children.
The sexual offences took place while Redmond, now of Excelsior House, Princess Way, Swansea, was living in Brighton from 1967 to 1984. Seventeen of the charges were sample counts — examples of ongoing behaviour and offences."
Source
Gordon Brian Redmond was convicted at Lewes Crown Court of 18 indecent assaults against children — including six charges of rape — and one charge of actual bodily harm.
The 72-year-old had already pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault against children.
The sexual offences took place while Redmond, now of Excelsior House, Princess Way, Swansea, was living in Brighton from 1967 to 1984. Seventeen of the charges were sample counts — examples of ongoing behaviour and offences."
Source
Discovery Channel gunman James Lee a devout Jehovah's Witness
"The gunman who stormed the Discovery Channel building in Maryland on
Wednesday and was shot to death following a four-hour hostage standoff with
police wrote a San Diego federal judge seven years ago that he was a loner
whose life was “a nightmare.”"
"He said James Lee was loved by his family, was nonviolent and did not smoke, drink or do drugs. Aaron Lee said his brother had been “a devoted Jehovah Witness for a decade.”"
Source
"He said James Lee was loved by his family, was nonviolent and did not smoke, drink or do drugs. Aaron Lee said his brother had been “a devoted Jehovah Witness for a decade.”"
Source
One dead after shooting inside Kingdom Hall
"LOWELL, Ore. -- One person is dead after a fatal shooting in Lowell,
Ore., Wednesday night.
Shots were fired at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Pioneer Street.
On Thursday morning the victim was identified as 47-year-old Kenneth Mort of Lowell.
Robert Gonzales, 34, of Eugene was arrested on murder charges. Mort and Gonzales knew each other.
Gonzales fled the scene, sparking a manhunt. Oregon State Police troopers found his abandoned vehicle three miles from the hall.
The search involved Lane County sheriff's deputies, Oregon State Police troopers, Eugene police officers, police dogs and the Lane County sheriff's helicopter.
Gonzales was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment of a dog bite injury which occurred during the arrest. Then Gonzales (below) was taken to the Lane County Jail on suspicion of murder."
Source
Shots were fired at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Pioneer Street.
On Thursday morning the victim was identified as 47-year-old Kenneth Mort of Lowell.
Robert Gonzales, 34, of Eugene was arrested on murder charges. Mort and Gonzales knew each other.
Gonzales fled the scene, sparking a manhunt. Oregon State Police troopers found his abandoned vehicle three miles from the hall.
The search involved Lane County sheriff's deputies, Oregon State Police troopers, Eugene police officers, police dogs and the Lane County sheriff's helicopter.
Gonzales was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment of a dog bite injury which occurred during the arrest. Then Gonzales (below) was taken to the Lane County Jail on suspicion of murder."
Source
Jehovah's Witness abused boy from age of seven until he was a teenager
"A JEHOVAH'S Witness today admitted sexually abusing a young boy from
the age of seven.
Thomas Gold, 45, abused the child over a period of seven years at an
address in Clackmannanshire.
The abuse began with a kiss on the boy's mouth, and became more sexual as
the youngster got older.
On one occasion there was "unnatural carnal connection" between
them.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that the boy trusted the accused and
thought the relationship was normal when he was a child, but questioned it when
he reached his late teens.
It came to light after the boy, also a Jehovah's witness, spoke to church
elders about it.
Advocate depute Alison Di Rollo said: "By the time he was 19 he had
started to realise that his feeling for the accused was wrong.
"He approached elders at his church and told them and they said it was
wrong and that if it continued he would have to be dis-fellowshipped by the
church.
"He has been seeing a psychiatrist in relation to suicidal thoughts
and depression."
The court heard that the complainer continued to visit Gold and had sex
with him until last September.
Gold today admitted using lewd, libidinous and indecent practices towards
the boy on various occasions between November 14 1996 and November 13 2003.
Lord Bannatyne deferred sentence until 7 September and ordered him to be
placed on the sex offenders register."
Baby dies after parents refuse blood transfusion
"A 2-month-old baby born with heart defects died recently after her
parents, members of Jehovah’s Witness, refused to allow surgery because of
their faith prohibiting blood transfusions, hospital officials said yesterday.
The baby, identified by her surname Lee, was born in August with a congenital heart disease. Doctors at the Seoul Asan Hospital, where she was first admitted, concluded that she needed surgery, but her parents refused to give permission, according to the officials.
Hospital officials, ethics teams and lawyers sought and won a court order in October allowing doctors to override the parents’ objections and perform the surgery, but the parents refused to comply and transferred their child to another hospital, whose name was withheld, which they claimed succeeded in performing the same kind of surgery without a blood transfusion.
The baby died less than a week after she was moved.
“Even if I go back to that time again, I would insist on surgery without a blood transfusion,” the mother said. "
The baby, identified by her surname Lee, was born in August with a congenital heart disease. Doctors at the Seoul Asan Hospital, where she was first admitted, concluded that she needed surgery, but her parents refused to give permission, according to the officials.
Hospital officials, ethics teams and lawyers sought and won a court order in October allowing doctors to override the parents’ objections and perform the surgery, but the parents refused to comply and transferred their child to another hospital, whose name was withheld, which they claimed succeeded in performing the same kind of surgery without a blood transfusion.
The baby died less than a week after she was moved.
“Even if I go back to that time again, I would insist on surgery without a blood transfusion,” the mother said. "
Jehovah's Witness rapist evades justice for decades, church does nothing
"A RAPIST evaded justice for 25 years because Jehovah’s Witnesses did
nothing when told about his child sex abuse, a court heard.
Anthony Burns, aged 54, was confronted with his crimes against a young child in the 1980s but no action was taken by the religious organisation.
Burns repeatedly abused a girl as young as nine years old, from 1977 until 1984 when she revealed what had been happening."
Source
Anthony Burns, aged 54, was confronted with his crimes against a young child in the 1980s but no action was taken by the religious organisation.
Burns repeatedly abused a girl as young as nine years old, from 1977 until 1984 when she revealed what had been happening."
Source
JW man scammed elderly woman out of $250,000
"A Crescent City man scammed a DeLand woman out of more than $250,000
after knocking at her door with a Bible in hand, according to an arrest report
released Thursday.
Francis L. Paul III, 46, was charged Wednesday with exploitation of an elderly person after a more than four-month investigation by DeLand police.
Paul fooled the 84-year-old woman into signing away her savings and stock holdings -- totaling about $255,000, according to the report.
Detective David Hiers wrote that the woman -- who is not being named because she is vulnerable -- was willing to sign several blank pieces of paper he handed her without explanation.
"It became apparent that (she) could be talked into signing anything," Hiers wrote.
A son visiting from California discovered the thefts in July and reported them to police, the report states.
The Department of Children & Families declared the woman mentally incompetent and police said she "suffers from the infirmities of aging."
Police said Paul -- who also goes by the name Francis P. Lipani III -- "showed up at (the woman's) door one day with a Bible in his hand" and befriended her. In an interview with police, the woman said she "liked him and was comfortable around him" and signed some papers he provided so they could "go into the lawn business together."
Subpoenaed documents from several banks -- Paul used at least seven, investigators said -- showed the beneficiary on many of Paul's accounts was the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, an organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.
His arrest report listed his occupation as a salesman.
Paul posted $15,000 bail Wednesday at the Volusia County Branch Jail, an official said. The phone number on his arrest report was disconnected."
Source
Francis L. Paul III, 46, was charged Wednesday with exploitation of an elderly person after a more than four-month investigation by DeLand police.
Paul fooled the 84-year-old woman into signing away her savings and stock holdings -- totaling about $255,000, according to the report.
Detective David Hiers wrote that the woman -- who is not being named because she is vulnerable -- was willing to sign several blank pieces of paper he handed her without explanation.
"It became apparent that (she) could be talked into signing anything," Hiers wrote.
A son visiting from California discovered the thefts in July and reported them to police, the report states.
The Department of Children & Families declared the woman mentally incompetent and police said she "suffers from the infirmities of aging."
Police said Paul -- who also goes by the name Francis P. Lipani III -- "showed up at (the woman's) door one day with a Bible in his hand" and befriended her. In an interview with police, the woman said she "liked him and was comfortable around him" and signed some papers he provided so they could "go into the lawn business together."
Subpoenaed documents from several banks -- Paul used at least seven, investigators said -- showed the beneficiary on many of Paul's accounts was the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, an organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.
His arrest report listed his occupation as a salesman.
Paul posted $15,000 bail Wednesday at the Volusia County Branch Jail, an official said. The phone number on his arrest report was disconnected."
Source
JW man paid 13 year old girl to keep silent about sex abuse
"A man who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl and took obscene
photographs of her has been jailed for three years four months.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that 54-year-old Geoffrey Massey would pay the teenager after molesting her at his home in an attempt to keep her quiet.
But his crimes eventually came to light after he confessed to his daughter, who told other relatives.
In April, following the revelations, his young victim took an overdose and had to be treated at hospital.
Jailing 54-year-old Massey, who is a Jehovah's Witness, Judge Adrian Lyon said “I have regard for the totality of the offences and in particular the last count, which dealt with a number of photographs you took of the child, aged 13, on your behalf.
“There seems to have been a number of occasions on which you engaged in sexual activity with this child.”
When the girl was interviewed by police she initially denied Massey had done anything wrong. She told officers he had given her the money for cleaning work.
But after officers re-interviewed her after getting more information, she revealed what had been happening, saying she had “felt too foolish” to admit it.
Massey, of Twickenham Drive, Leasowe, admitted sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one further offence of making indecent photographs.
The pictures were never discovered because he had deleted them from his computer.
Lee Bonner, defending, said once his client had begun the abuse he was too scared to stop for fear his victim would expose his crimes.
“Essentially, once he had begun he found it very difficult to stop, not because of any particular sexual satisfaction, but because once it had begun and he had begun to give her money he feared the complainant might tell people when the flow of money stopped.”
Mr Bonner told how Massey, who had no previous convictions, had left his family, but had been the subject of a “hate campaign” in his community."
Liverpool Crown Court heard that 54-year-old Geoffrey Massey would pay the teenager after molesting her at his home in an attempt to keep her quiet.
But his crimes eventually came to light after he confessed to his daughter, who told other relatives.
In April, following the revelations, his young victim took an overdose and had to be treated at hospital.
Jailing 54-year-old Massey, who is a Jehovah's Witness, Judge Adrian Lyon said “I have regard for the totality of the offences and in particular the last count, which dealt with a number of photographs you took of the child, aged 13, on your behalf.
“There seems to have been a number of occasions on which you engaged in sexual activity with this child.”
When the girl was interviewed by police she initially denied Massey had done anything wrong. She told officers he had given her the money for cleaning work.
But after officers re-interviewed her after getting more information, she revealed what had been happening, saying she had “felt too foolish” to admit it.
Massey, of Twickenham Drive, Leasowe, admitted sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one further offence of making indecent photographs.
The pictures were never discovered because he had deleted them from his computer.
Lee Bonner, defending, said once his client had begun the abuse he was too scared to stop for fear his victim would expose his crimes.
“Essentially, once he had begun he found it very difficult to stop, not because of any particular sexual satisfaction, but because once it had begun and he had begun to give her money he feared the complainant might tell people when the flow of money stopped.”
Mr Bonner told how Massey, who had no previous convictions, had left his family, but had been the subject of a “hate campaign” in his community."
Source
Jehovah's Witness Richard Greist still a danger; murders pregnant wife and mutilates unborn child
"In May 1978, Greist went into a psychotic
rage and stabbed his wife, Janice, to death in their East Coventry home. He cut
open her body and removed from it the fetus of their unborn son, mutilating the
body. He then turned on his daughter and stabbed her, and attacked his
grandmother, who lived at the house."
JW man murders parents, claims Jehovah commanded him to kill
"The murder of two parents by their own son, who is a member of
Jehovah's Witnesses sect, caused heated public discussions in Armenia.
Arman Torosyan, 23, killed his parents – 64-year-old Khachik Torosyan and 57-year-old Marietta Torosyan in their apartment in Sevan, as he says, “fulfilling the commandment of Jehovah.”"
Friends, family barred from mourning at funeral
"LAST Thursday, scores of mourners came
out to say their final farewell to Murline Agatha McLaren, one of Jehovah's
most dedicated Witnesses during a thanksgiving service at the Kingdom Hall of
Jehovah's Witnesses off Lemon Lane in St Andrew.
During the 45-minute service officiating minister,
Owen McDonald, was the only person to address the gathering.
...
With no tributes allowed to be offered during the funeral, many gathered in informal groups after the funeral, viewed the body for a second time and said their individual tributes."
Icelandic JW women report ongoing sexual abuse, systemic coverups
"Women who have been members of Jehovah’s Witness in Iceland claim
that sexual and domestic violence is practiced within the congregation and that
such offenses are hushed up."
JW elder arrested for sex abuse
"Thirty years after a valley man was
sexually molested at age 14, a church elder in Phoenix has been arrested in
connection to the crime.
63-year-old David Nelson was arrested at his home
Wednesday night. He's charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor,
two counts of molestation of a child and two counts of public sexual indecency.
Some 30 years ago, Nelson met the victim through the
Madison Park Congregation Church near 16th Street and Earll Drive and became a
friend of the family.
Nelson was a Jehovah's Witness elder, a preacher and
leader of the congregation, since 1979."
South African man conned by fellow Jehovah's Witnesses for large bride
price
"Jehovah’s Witness Sibusiso Simon is demanding his ilobolo moolah back
after he was allegedly conned out of R11,600.
In January last year fellow Witness Doris Mahlasela, a clerk at the Kingdom
Hall in Soweto, promised him a “good wife” . She told him she had found him
Phumeza Paraffin, who lived in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. That is, if
he was willing to pay R11600.
He says she told him she would handle the ilobolo negotiations and he
should deposit the funds into her personal bank account to speed up the
process.
He says: “Doris said I would have to pay immediately and I could only talk
to her after I’d paid at least half the moolah.
“I paid R6300 into her account in April last year and in return she gave me
Phumeza’s picture and cellphone number.
“I deposited R4300 more in July to complete the R11600 and she told me it
wasn’t enough and that I had to pay for the engagement party, which was
supposed to happen in August last year.”
He says when he met Paraffin in August , she said she didn’t like him.
“She told me to my face she would not marry me and I told her, the church
and Mahlasela to pay me back my money,” he says.
Simon adds that Paraffin and the people involved with negotiations changed
their phone numbers and he couldn’t get through to any of them.
Sunday World tried to contact Paraffin and her uncle with no luck.
Mahlasela : “I’m an old woman, bedridden and I could never do something
like that. He paid the money because he wanted to and I thought I was helping
him.”
Meanwhile, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Soweto have distanced themselves from
the matter and have ousted Simon."
Jehovah's Witness charged over son's death
"A Jehovah’s Witness member faces a year in prison over her refusal to
allow her son to receive a blood transfusion that might have prevented his
death in August, Interfax reported."
Jehovah's Witness George Cockerill molested young girls for over 40 years
"A TWISTED Jehovah's Witness raped and molested young girls who
followed the faith - telling them they would betray their religion if they
talked.
Vile George Cockerill, 78, carried out his depraved attacks over more than 40 YEARS.
One of his victims was just ten when he first targeted her. Another was 12 and a third 15. He made one devoted follower PRAY after attacking her.
Another was so terrified she asked church elders for help. But when no action was taken she quit the faith in disgust.
Ex-butcher Cockerill was finally nailed when his first victim told her doctor. He was behind bars yesterday after admitting 32 offences including 19 rapes and four counts of sexual activity with a child.
Hull Crown Court judge Roger Thorn jailed him indefinitely, calling him "the most terrible hypocrite"."
Source
Vile George Cockerill, 78, carried out his depraved attacks over more than 40 YEARS.
One of his victims was just ten when he first targeted her. Another was 12 and a third 15. He made one devoted follower PRAY after attacking her.
Another was so terrified she asked church elders for help. But when no action was taken she quit the faith in disgust.
Ex-butcher Cockerill was finally nailed when his first victim told her doctor. He was behind bars yesterday after admitting 32 offences including 19 rapes and four counts of sexual activity with a child.
Hull Crown Court judge Roger Thorn jailed him indefinitely, calling him "the most terrible hypocrite"."
Source
Jehovah's Witness elder rapes 11-year old girl
"Francis Gandhi, a pastor of the Jehovah Witness Church in Kailahun
Town is a worried man. The man of God is currently detained at the Kailahun
Police Station for the offence of an alleged rape of an 11 year old Pupil of
the SLMB Mission in Kailahun. Police report states that the incident took place
on the 4th April 2209 at 8; 30 at the residence of the suspected pastor at
Masanta in Kailahun town. He was arrested by the father of the victim with the
help of some youths, and whisked to the Police Station where he is helping with
the investigation. Sarah Amara, Mother of the victim explained in tears that
every Friday the girl goes to help her grand mother with domestic work and help
to sell in market and returns home at 6PM. On 4th of April 2009, she said that
they came home from work and discovered that the girl has not returned home and
immediately they contacted her grandmother who told them that the young girl
had left for her home around 5pm. “We went in search of her moving from one
place to place, relatives to relatives we could not find her and we returned
home as it was getting close to 10pm” she said while in bed somebody knocked on
her window and when asked she heard the voice of her daughter.“I jumped out of
my bed and enquired from her where she was coming from only to tell me that she
was in the room with a man of God. The woman explained further that her self,
the girl and her husband Amara Fomba went to the suspect’s house the very
night. When they approached the suspects house she said the suspect told the
girl to go ahead and when she went Francis Gandi came out and called her
inside. Sarah maintained that at this moment they alerted the authorities in
the area but the suspect was pleading not to take him to the police bit they
have to do so because it was not anything to compromise. Police confirmed to
this press that medical report shows that the young girl has been tampered with
and they were preparing to charge the matter while the suspect pastor Francis
Gandi is still in police net..."
Source 1 - Source 2
Source 1 - Source 2
Man jailed over extensive child porn collection
"A Corrimal man who had more than 1000 images of
child pornography in his possession had shown a callous disregard for the
children involved, Magistrate Paul Johnson said yesterday.
Mr Johnson said many of the images in the possession
of 35-year-old Shane Thomas Thorne were of the worst category involving
children as young as five.
Thorne was sentenced to a total of two years' jail on
two charges. He is due to be released on November 16, 2010 and will then enter
a 12-month good behaviour bond.
"He had these images for his personal
gratification," the magistrate said.
"Despite being the father of two young teenage
girls he showed a callous disregard for gross sexual abuse of children in the
images."
Thorne, of Carroll Rd, pleaded guilty to one charge of
using the internet to access child pornography and one of possessing 1146
images of child pornography between August 27 and September 24 last year.
He was addicted to adult pornography and had tens of
thousands of legal images in his computer when federal police raided his home
on January 7.
The court heard Thorne accessed the pornography late
at night in his garage and over time became inured to this and sought more
titillating material in the form of child pornography.
The website from which he bought the illegal images
provided a warning that it "contained material which may be offensive to
some, exciting to others and illegal to all."
Mr Johnson said Thorne clearly thought the website was
safe and that he would not be detected.
Evidence was heard that Thorne grew up in a violent
family environment and was sexually abused as a teenager.
Mr Johnson said courts throughout the world had
recognised for a long time that child pornography was not a victimless crime.
"There is nothing to indicate that he has
acknowledged the injury caused by his actions," Mr Johnson said.
"There is no realisation expressed or reported of any acknowledgement of
the harm done to children in child pornography."
He told Thorne that a sentence must be imposed that
would reflect the community horror and the disgust for the use of children for
sexual gratification.
Late yesterday, Thorne's barrister Jane Healey said an
appeal against the severity of the sentence would lodged."
Jehovah's Witness, ex school employee admits child rape
"A former Golden Gate High School soccer coach charged with having sex
with a student in his office, a park and her home pleaded no contest Wednesday
to avoid trial — and the threat of a state prison sentence.
As potential jurors waited
upstairs, Juan Manuel Cancino, 28, of Golden Gate, who also was the school’s
computer technician, pleaded to two counts of having unlawful sexual activity
with a minor and was adjudicated guilty by Circuit Judge Elizabeth Krier. She
imposed the sentence after the mother described her loss of faith in school
employees.
“This has hurt my family so
bad,” said the mother, whose name is being withheld to protect the teen’s
identity. “... I cannot allow anybody to teach my daughter because I don’t know
what their intentions are. .... She was a victim of abuse inside the school and
also inside my house.”"
Jehovah's Witness, convicted rapist Curtis Thompson
"When he was freed from prison five years
ago, there was little dispute that convicted rapist Curtis Thompson was being
released without participating in sex offender treatment.
Thompson, now 49, had been sentenced to an 18-year
term in 1985 after being convicted of raping four Seattle women. His method
then -- and, prosecutors say, now -- was a strong-arm break-in followed by
sexual assault."
"Over the objections of prosecutors and
therapists who had evaluated Thompson, jurors chose to release him after
hearing claims that his newfound Jehovah's Witnesses faith had helped him
reform his life."
Jehovah's Witness charged with Human Trafficking, fraud, conspiracy
"Throughout the hearing, the courtroom and waiting area outside were
packed, often with more than 20 family members and friends supporting the
accused. Some were friends from the First Hungarian Presbyterian Church, which
Domotor Sr. and his family attend, and some were from Hamilton’s Jehovah
Witness community, of which Gyula Domotor is a member."
"Domotor Sr., 48, his wife, Gyongyi Kolompar, 40, brother, Gyula Domotor, 32, and Ferenc Karadi, 47, appeared for a four-day bail review ending Thursday.
Superior Court Justice John Cavarzan is expected to decide their fate while they await trial on human trafficking, fraud, conspiracy and organized crime charges next Thursday."
Source 1 - Source 2
"Domotor Sr., 48, his wife, Gyongyi Kolompar, 40, brother, Gyula Domotor, 32, and Ferenc Karadi, 47, appeared for a four-day bail review ending Thursday.
Superior Court Justice John Cavarzan is expected to decide their fate while they await trial on human trafficking, fraud, conspiracy and organized crime charges next Thursday."
Source 1 - Source 2
Jehovah's Witness Justin LeLeux jailed for 'monstrous' sex crimes
"A man who committed “monstrous” sex crimes against two young girls
when he was an isolated teenager growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness in Bradford
has been jailed for two and a half years.
Justin Leleux, 27, sexually abused the children when he was aged 14 to 17, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.
The older girl was about six and the younger child around three years old when he stripped naked to play “secret games” with them. Leleux, now of Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, pleaded guilty to five offences of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child when he lived in the Bradford area in the late 1990s."
Source
Justin Leleux, 27, sexually abused the children when he was aged 14 to 17, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.
The older girl was about six and the younger child around three years old when he stripped naked to play “secret games” with them. Leleux, now of Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, pleaded guilty to five offences of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child when he lived in the Bradford area in the late 1990s."
Source
Jehovah's Witness Convicted for refusing blood for her 5-year-old child,
who died as a result
"In a first, a court convicted a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses
religious sect over her refusal to sanction blood transfusion for a relative, a
procedure banned by the sect’s teachings, Interfax reported Wednesday.
Natalya Podlozhevich was fined 5,000 rubles ($170) by a magistrate of the Khanty-Mansiisk region’s town of Kogalym, which found her guilty of abandoning in danger her 5-year-old son.
The unnamed boy was hospitalized last February in serious condition, the cause of which was not specified. Medics said he required blood transfusion, but his mother refused to sanction the procedure. The boy died two days later.
The ruling may set a precedent for other cases against Jehovah’s Witnesses’ members on similar charges. *"
Source - Source 2
Natalya Podlozhevich was fined 5,000 rubles ($170) by a magistrate of the Khanty-Mansiisk region’s town of Kogalym, which found her guilty of abandoning in danger her 5-year-old son.
The unnamed boy was hospitalized last February in serious condition, the cause of which was not specified. Medics said he required blood transfusion, but his mother refused to sanction the procedure. The boy died two days later.
The ruling may set a precedent for other cases against Jehovah’s Witnesses’ members on similar charges. *"
Source - Source 2
JW man found guilty of murdering 12-year old daughter
"William Redman believed his 12-year-old daughter, Gloria, would be
resurrected three days after he repeatedly plunged a knife into her neck in
March 2008.
Redman said the act would save the world, and he told an emergency medical technician at the bloody scene that he had seen God.
Redman's belief and act appeared to reflect a mixture of biblical stories, all with happier endings.
On Tuesday, District Judge Elissa Cadish found Redman guilty but mentally ill of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon after an eight-day bench trial.
The verdict means that Redman, 57, will be locked up in prison and given psychiatric treatment.
Defense attorneys argued he was not guilty by reason of insanity.
Gloria, a sixth-grader at Harney Middle School, had stayed home sick the day she was killed. Gloria's mother was grocery shopping when the slaying occurred.
During the trial, testimony showed that Gloria suffered defensive wounds on her hands as she tried to stop her father.
When Redman's wife, Rosemary, came home and found the scene, she called 911. She could be heard on a 911 recording screaming, "What did you do to (my) baby?"
William Redman calmly told a 911 operator: "It was the way Jehovah does things."
When Las Vegas police arrived at the family's trailer at Road Runner RV Park on Boulder Highway near Flamingo Road, they found William Redman sitting on the front steps, covered in blood, with his arms extended in front of his legs and his hands open, palms forward, according to court documents.
William Redman was hospitalized for self-inflicted wounds to his arms, wrists and neck.
Similar wounds, described as ritualistic, appeared on Gloria.
Redman insisted that if Gloria was left in her condition for three days, she would be resurrected from the dead by her mother.
He later told a state psychiatrist that the event was supposed to be a joyous occasion, and he did not believe what he did was illegal. He said he was to be with Gloria and guide her for three days before his wife resurrected them both.
Deputy public defender Andrea Luem said once her client was effectively medicated, he was completely devastated by what he had done.
Luem said Redman, a Jehovah's Witness who worked for a carnival, had not exhibited violent behavior before. A month before the slaying, he showed signs of schizophrenic behavior, referring to aliens speaking to him through the television.
Luem said her client "is extremely mentally ill."
A sentencing hearing was set for April 27. William Redman faces 20 years in prison to life without parole."
Source
Redman said the act would save the world, and he told an emergency medical technician at the bloody scene that he had seen God.
Redman's belief and act appeared to reflect a mixture of biblical stories, all with happier endings.
On Tuesday, District Judge Elissa Cadish found Redman guilty but mentally ill of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon after an eight-day bench trial.
The verdict means that Redman, 57, will be locked up in prison and given psychiatric treatment.
Defense attorneys argued he was not guilty by reason of insanity.
Gloria, a sixth-grader at Harney Middle School, had stayed home sick the day she was killed. Gloria's mother was grocery shopping when the slaying occurred.
During the trial, testimony showed that Gloria suffered defensive wounds on her hands as she tried to stop her father.
When Redman's wife, Rosemary, came home and found the scene, she called 911. She could be heard on a 911 recording screaming, "What did you do to (my) baby?"
William Redman calmly told a 911 operator: "It was the way Jehovah does things."
When Las Vegas police arrived at the family's trailer at Road Runner RV Park on Boulder Highway near Flamingo Road, they found William Redman sitting on the front steps, covered in blood, with his arms extended in front of his legs and his hands open, palms forward, according to court documents.
William Redman was hospitalized for self-inflicted wounds to his arms, wrists and neck.
Similar wounds, described as ritualistic, appeared on Gloria.
Redman insisted that if Gloria was left in her condition for three days, she would be resurrected from the dead by her mother.
He later told a state psychiatrist that the event was supposed to be a joyous occasion, and he did not believe what he did was illegal. He said he was to be with Gloria and guide her for three days before his wife resurrected them both.
Deputy public defender Andrea Luem said once her client was effectively medicated, he was completely devastated by what he had done.
Luem said Redman, a Jehovah's Witness who worked for a carnival, had not exhibited violent behavior before. A month before the slaying, he showed signs of schizophrenic behavior, referring to aliens speaking to him through the television.
Luem said her client "is extremely mentally ill."
A sentencing hearing was set for April 27. William Redman faces 20 years in prison to life without parole."
Source
Jehovah's Witness murders 12 children in shooting rampage, worst in
Brazilian history
"RIO DE JANEIRO - Stalking the halls of his one-time elementary
school, 23-year-old Wellington Oliveira killed 10 girls and two boys, most with
shots to their heads even as children begged him to stop, witnesses said.
Oliveira then took his own life after police gunfire struck his legs and sent him toppling down some stairs, but not before carrying out what crime experts are calling the worst school massacre in Brazil's history.
Witnesses said he entered the Tasso da Silveira school in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday armed with two pistols and an ammunition belt, shooting at students and repeatedly yelling: "I'm going to kill you all!"
"He had already killed a lot of children in the first floor and in the yard," student Jade Ramos told the Globo television network. "He kept telling the kids to face the wall and was shooting at their heads. The children kept begging, 'No, please!' There was a lot of blood, children agonizing on the stairs."
Ramos said she escaped by running into a classroom, where a teacher locked the door and barricaded it with tables. Images taken with a cellphone and posted on YouTube showed students fleeing wildly, screaming for help, many with their white and blue school shirts soaked in blood.
Families still reeling from the attack were planning for the funerals of their children Friday, while Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said she would do her best to attend the memorials.
"I ask for one minute of silence for these children who were taken so early from their life," Rousseff said, her eyes welling with tears. "It's not in the nature of our nation to have these types of crimes."
With a dozen children dead, 11 more were in hospitals for wounds or other injuries, at least two of them reported in grave condition. The ages of the children were not immediately known, though the school serves grades one through eight.
Elias da Silva paced outside a hospital waiting for news of his nephew, a 14-year-old boy who slipped on a pool of blood and twisted his ankle as he fled the school pulling along a friend during a moment when the gunman stopped to reload. His nephew escaped, but the girl was shot in the back and died, the uncle said.
"I asked God for him to come out alive and he did," Silva said. "He came out running and still thought to try to save his friend. This is going to be difficult for him to understand."
Andreia Machado tearfully recounted what her 13-year-old daughter, Thayane, told her before going into surgery.
Thayane was struck by three bullets and lost feeling in her legs because one hit her spine, the mother said. With tears streaking her cheeks, Machado wondered if her daughter would ever be able to walk.
"She's such an active child," she said. "That's the biggest fear I have, her not being able to walk again. But we have to trust in God."
Officials said Oliveira had once attended the Tasso da Silveira school in a working-class neighbourhood in western Rio.
The motive for the attack wasn't known, but authorities said the shooter left a rambling and mostly incoherent letter at the scene indicating he wanted to kill himself.
The letter also explained in detail how Oliveira wanted his corpse to be cared for — bathed and wrapped in a white sheet that he left in a bag in the first room where he said he would start shooting. The letter also states that the gunman should not be touched by anyone who is "impure" unless they wear gloves.
"If possible I want to be buried next to my mother. A follower of God must visit my grave at least once. He must pray before my grave and ask God to forgive me for what I have done," read the letter, which was posted on the Globo television network's website.
Edmar Peixoto, the deputy mayor of western Rio, said the letter also stated the gunman had the AIDS virus.
Oliveira's neighbours told the newspaper Jornal do Brasil they couldn't believe the quiet young man who kept his head down and stayed out of trouble was responsible for so much bloodshed.
"He was never violent; he didn't get in trouble, throw stones, or fight in the streets," said Edna de Lira Ferreira, 55. "He was just quiet, and we respected the way he was. He just stayed in his room, in front of the computer."
Oliveira had been a Jehovah's Witness, like his adoptive parents and their other five children, Ferreira said.
Another neighbour, Elma Pedrosa, remembered Oliveira as an unusual youth who looked away when he passed acquaintances rather than greet them.
"He was anti-social, but he never demonstrated any violent tendencies," she said.
The public school was in the midst of celebrating its 40th anniversary, and students' handmade posters commemorating the day could be seen through school windows.
About 400 people were inside the school when the shooting began about 8:30 a.m.
When Oliveira first entered the school he told staff members he was there to give a lecture, Rio Police Chief Martha Rocha said. Shortly afterward, he opened fire.
The gunman had no criminal history, Rocha added at a news conference.
Rio is a city rife with drug-gang violence in its vast slums, but school shootings are rare.
"What happened in Rio is without a doubt the worst incident of its kind to have taken place in Brazil," said Guaracy Mingardi, a crime and public safety expert at the University of Sao Paulo.
Police were alerted to the shooting when two young boys, at least one with a gunshot wound, ran up to two officers on patrol about two blocks away. The officers sprinted to the school and at least one quickly located the gunman on the second floor and traded shots with him.
"He saw me and aimed a gun at me," officer Marcio Alves said. "I shot him in the legs, he fell down the stairs and then shot himself in the head."
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said life at the four-story, pastel yellow and green school was turned into a "hellish nightmare."
"This day would have been so much worse if it weren't for the hero policeman," Paes told reporters at the school.
Authorities closed the school temporarily while they investigate, but Paes said it would reopen.
Rio Gov. Sergio Cabral called the shooter a "psychopath" and said there were no indications anyone else was involved in the shooting, but that the investigation would continue.
"We have to investigate where he got the weapons and where he learned to use them," the governor said."
Source
Oliveira then took his own life after police gunfire struck his legs and sent him toppling down some stairs, but not before carrying out what crime experts are calling the worst school massacre in Brazil's history.
Witnesses said he entered the Tasso da Silveira school in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday armed with two pistols and an ammunition belt, shooting at students and repeatedly yelling: "I'm going to kill you all!"
"He had already killed a lot of children in the first floor and in the yard," student Jade Ramos told the Globo television network. "He kept telling the kids to face the wall and was shooting at their heads. The children kept begging, 'No, please!' There was a lot of blood, children agonizing on the stairs."
Ramos said she escaped by running into a classroom, where a teacher locked the door and barricaded it with tables. Images taken with a cellphone and posted on YouTube showed students fleeing wildly, screaming for help, many with their white and blue school shirts soaked in blood.
Families still reeling from the attack were planning for the funerals of their children Friday, while Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said she would do her best to attend the memorials.
"I ask for one minute of silence for these children who were taken so early from their life," Rousseff said, her eyes welling with tears. "It's not in the nature of our nation to have these types of crimes."
With a dozen children dead, 11 more were in hospitals for wounds or other injuries, at least two of them reported in grave condition. The ages of the children were not immediately known, though the school serves grades one through eight.
Elias da Silva paced outside a hospital waiting for news of his nephew, a 14-year-old boy who slipped on a pool of blood and twisted his ankle as he fled the school pulling along a friend during a moment when the gunman stopped to reload. His nephew escaped, but the girl was shot in the back and died, the uncle said.
"I asked God for him to come out alive and he did," Silva said. "He came out running and still thought to try to save his friend. This is going to be difficult for him to understand."
Andreia Machado tearfully recounted what her 13-year-old daughter, Thayane, told her before going into surgery.
Thayane was struck by three bullets and lost feeling in her legs because one hit her spine, the mother said. With tears streaking her cheeks, Machado wondered if her daughter would ever be able to walk.
"She's such an active child," she said. "That's the biggest fear I have, her not being able to walk again. But we have to trust in God."
Officials said Oliveira had once attended the Tasso da Silveira school in a working-class neighbourhood in western Rio.
The motive for the attack wasn't known, but authorities said the shooter left a rambling and mostly incoherent letter at the scene indicating he wanted to kill himself.
The letter also explained in detail how Oliveira wanted his corpse to be cared for — bathed and wrapped in a white sheet that he left in a bag in the first room where he said he would start shooting. The letter also states that the gunman should not be touched by anyone who is "impure" unless they wear gloves.
"If possible I want to be buried next to my mother. A follower of God must visit my grave at least once. He must pray before my grave and ask God to forgive me for what I have done," read the letter, which was posted on the Globo television network's website.
Edmar Peixoto, the deputy mayor of western Rio, said the letter also stated the gunman had the AIDS virus.
Oliveira's neighbours told the newspaper Jornal do Brasil they couldn't believe the quiet young man who kept his head down and stayed out of trouble was responsible for so much bloodshed.
"He was never violent; he didn't get in trouble, throw stones, or fight in the streets," said Edna de Lira Ferreira, 55. "He was just quiet, and we respected the way he was. He just stayed in his room, in front of the computer."
Oliveira had been a Jehovah's Witness, like his adoptive parents and their other five children, Ferreira said.
Another neighbour, Elma Pedrosa, remembered Oliveira as an unusual youth who looked away when he passed acquaintances rather than greet them.
"He was anti-social, but he never demonstrated any violent tendencies," she said.
The public school was in the midst of celebrating its 40th anniversary, and students' handmade posters commemorating the day could be seen through school windows.
About 400 people were inside the school when the shooting began about 8:30 a.m.
When Oliveira first entered the school he told staff members he was there to give a lecture, Rio Police Chief Martha Rocha said. Shortly afterward, he opened fire.
The gunman had no criminal history, Rocha added at a news conference.
Rio is a city rife with drug-gang violence in its vast slums, but school shootings are rare.
"What happened in Rio is without a doubt the worst incident of its kind to have taken place in Brazil," said Guaracy Mingardi, a crime and public safety expert at the University of Sao Paulo.
Police were alerted to the shooting when two young boys, at least one with a gunshot wound, ran up to two officers on patrol about two blocks away. The officers sprinted to the school and at least one quickly located the gunman on the second floor and traded shots with him.
"He saw me and aimed a gun at me," officer Marcio Alves said. "I shot him in the legs, he fell down the stairs and then shot himself in the head."
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said life at the four-story, pastel yellow and green school was turned into a "hellish nightmare."
"This day would have been so much worse if it weren't for the hero policeman," Paes told reporters at the school.
Authorities closed the school temporarily while they investigate, but Paes said it would reopen.
Rio Gov. Sergio Cabral called the shooter a "psychopath" and said there were no indications anyone else was involved in the shooting, but that the investigation would continue.
"We have to investigate where he got the weapons and where he learned to use them," the governor said."
Source
Former Jehovah's Witness launches criminal case against Watchtower for
child abuse
"A FORMER Jehovah's Witness is to launch a private criminal
prosecution against the religion's world headquarters.
His action is in protest at its refusal to require church elders to submit to Working With Children police checks in Victoria
Steven Unthank, who says he was a victim of sexual assault by a church elder in Queensland, says he is taking the drastic step to protect children within the religion and at homes where Jehovah's Witnesses doorknock.
Mr Unthank, from Toongabbie in Gippsland, says he is frustrated over inaction by police and the Justice Department after the religion decided its ministers were not required to undergo police checks.
He hopes the state will take over the prosecution after court documents are filed on April 19.
Mr Unthank, 43, quit the religion in late 2009 after waging a long campaign to persuade the Watch Tower Society, the religion's administrative arm, that elders and door-to-door preachers needed to get police checks before working with children.
Victoria's Working With Children Act requires ministers of religion who have regular unsupervised contact with children to apply for background checks and the Catholic and Anglican churches say all ministers and volunteer workers routinely apply for such checks.
Although Jehovah's Witnesses say all members become ordained ministers at baptism, a spokesman for the Watch Tower Society said elders or other evangelists were not required to gain a police clearance.
"We don't typically work with children, we don't have Sunday schools, so that law doesn't apply to us," the spokesman said.
But Mr Unthank said adult Jehovah's Witnesses often paired up with minors when preaching, with much of their time spent in cars calling on homes. Elders also mentored children and teens from religiously divided homes.
He said elders underwent no background checks before being appointed and were required only to voluntarily declare any convictions for sexual offences.
"Without police checks, how would a member of the public know it isn't a sex offender knocking on their door, talking with their kids?" he said.
Victoria Police say they investigate specific complaints about breaches of the Act, but government sources say the Watch Tower Society's stance remains "a worry".
"A lot of this is about reassurance to parents and the public, so their attitude isn't helpful," one source said."
Source
His action is in protest at its refusal to require church elders to submit to Working With Children police checks in Victoria
Steven Unthank, who says he was a victim of sexual assault by a church elder in Queensland, says he is taking the drastic step to protect children within the religion and at homes where Jehovah's Witnesses doorknock.
Mr Unthank, from Toongabbie in Gippsland, says he is frustrated over inaction by police and the Justice Department after the religion decided its ministers were not required to undergo police checks.
He hopes the state will take over the prosecution after court documents are filed on April 19.
Mr Unthank, 43, quit the religion in late 2009 after waging a long campaign to persuade the Watch Tower Society, the religion's administrative arm, that elders and door-to-door preachers needed to get police checks before working with children.
Victoria's Working With Children Act requires ministers of religion who have regular unsupervised contact with children to apply for background checks and the Catholic and Anglican churches say all ministers and volunteer workers routinely apply for such checks.
Although Jehovah's Witnesses say all members become ordained ministers at baptism, a spokesman for the Watch Tower Society said elders or other evangelists were not required to gain a police clearance.
"We don't typically work with children, we don't have Sunday schools, so that law doesn't apply to us," the spokesman said.
But Mr Unthank said adult Jehovah's Witnesses often paired up with minors when preaching, with much of their time spent in cars calling on homes. Elders also mentored children and teens from religiously divided homes.
He said elders underwent no background checks before being appointed and were required only to voluntarily declare any convictions for sexual offences.
"Without police checks, how would a member of the public know it isn't a sex offender knocking on their door, talking with their kids?" he said.
Victoria Police say they investigate specific complaints about breaches of the Act, but government sources say the Watch Tower Society's stance remains "a worry".
"A lot of this is about reassurance to parents and the public, so their attitude isn't helpful," one source said."
Source
Two Jehovah's Witnesses attack priest
"Police identified two Jehovah’s Witnesses who attacked priest.
Armenian police identified the two followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses sect, suspected of attacking a priest Yesai Artenyan.
The sectarians, Andranik Mnatsakanyan and Samvel Grigoryan were summoned to a police station to give evidence.
A case has not been instigated yet. The attacked priest is to be examined by an expert in forensic medicine.
According to media reports, on May 15, two followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses sect attacked Yesai Artenyan and beat him in the yard of the Holy Trinity Church in response to the priest’s demand to stop preaching in the church territory. The beating was accompanied by bad language and threats."
Source
Armenian police identified the two followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses sect, suspected of attacking a priest Yesai Artenyan.
The sectarians, Andranik Mnatsakanyan and Samvel Grigoryan were summoned to a police station to give evidence.
A case has not been instigated yet. The attacked priest is to be examined by an expert in forensic medicine.
According to media reports, on May 15, two followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses sect attacked Yesai Artenyan and beat him in the yard of the Holy Trinity Church in response to the priest’s demand to stop preaching in the church territory. The beating was accompanied by bad language and threats."
Source
Doctors, Police fight off mob of Jehovah's Witnesses attempting to block a
blood transfusion
Doctors, Police "fight off" Jehovah's Witnesses over blood
transfusion
"The life of a critically ill nine-year old girl (name withheld) whose parents belong to the Jehovah Witnesses faith was saved last Tuesday when the James Town police offered protection to the medical staff of the Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital to provide blood to the dying patient.
The police intervention was as a result of a distress call by doctors and nurses at the hospital who were faced with the challenge at the hands of the girl's parents who were protesting against the intended transfusion of blood to their daughter since it was against their faith.
The girl, a sickle cell patient, whose blood count had gone down drastically was diagnosed by a team of doctors led by Dr Eric Sifah, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, to be severely ill and required blood transfusion to survive.
Dr Maame Yaa Nyarko, a pediatrician at the Emergency Ward of the Hospital, told The Spectator that the mother of the girl, Hannah Bentil brought the patient who had the "SS" blood trait to the hospital at about 6pm on Monday looking very pale.
She said, the medical team on duty, including the nurses recognised the girl as a sickle cell patient who had not been attending clinic for counseling and guidance.
Dr Nyarko said besides being in a pale state, the colour of the urine of the patient was also very dark like 'Coca cola' indicating the fast break down of the red blood cells.
She said after the blood and the haemoglobin levels were checked, samples were taken and given to the mother to take to the laboratory.
The mother however refused to send the sample meant for the blood grouping or cross-matching that could aid the possible blood transfusion.
Even though the doctors explained to the mother in the presence of some relatives that the daughter's haemoglobin level was too low and she ought to be given blood transfusion, she flatly refused, citing religious reasons and the abhorrence by the father, Justice Bentil.
The Social Welfare Officer at the hospital was also tasked to counsel the mother but she was adamant and urged on by some friends, she demanded that the daughter be discharged forthwith.
They subsequently began making attempts to prevent the doctors and nurses from attending to the patient.
When matters were getting to a head, the doctors called for the assistance of the police to offer them the necessary protection.
Police Superintendent B.B. Bakomora, the James Town District Police commander, immediately responded to the call and dispatched a team of policemen and women to provide protection to the health team.
On the arrival of the police, some exchanges took place between the doctors and some members of the religious group lasting about two hours. The doctors finally resolved to have the girl transfused with the blood and that was done around 4.30pm on Tuesday.
Doctors said her condition was now stable and they hoped for improvement.
Superintendent Bakomora justified the actions of the medical staff, saying they owed it a duty to prevent the loss of life.
He said Section 79(1), (b) of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29) states that "A parent is under duty to give access to the necessities of health and life to the child who is not of age and capacity as to be able to obtain those basic necessities"."
"The life of a critically ill nine-year old girl (name withheld) whose parents belong to the Jehovah Witnesses faith was saved last Tuesday when the James Town police offered protection to the medical staff of the Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital to provide blood to the dying patient.
The police intervention was as a result of a distress call by doctors and nurses at the hospital who were faced with the challenge at the hands of the girl's parents who were protesting against the intended transfusion of blood to their daughter since it was against their faith.
The girl, a sickle cell patient, whose blood count had gone down drastically was diagnosed by a team of doctors led by Dr Eric Sifah, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, to be severely ill and required blood transfusion to survive.
Dr Maame Yaa Nyarko, a pediatrician at the Emergency Ward of the Hospital, told The Spectator that the mother of the girl, Hannah Bentil brought the patient who had the "SS" blood trait to the hospital at about 6pm on Monday looking very pale.
She said, the medical team on duty, including the nurses recognised the girl as a sickle cell patient who had not been attending clinic for counseling and guidance.
Dr Nyarko said besides being in a pale state, the colour of the urine of the patient was also very dark like 'Coca cola' indicating the fast break down of the red blood cells.
She said after the blood and the haemoglobin levels were checked, samples were taken and given to the mother to take to the laboratory.
The mother however refused to send the sample meant for the blood grouping or cross-matching that could aid the possible blood transfusion.
Even though the doctors explained to the mother in the presence of some relatives that the daughter's haemoglobin level was too low and she ought to be given blood transfusion, she flatly refused, citing religious reasons and the abhorrence by the father, Justice Bentil.
The Social Welfare Officer at the hospital was also tasked to counsel the mother but she was adamant and urged on by some friends, she demanded that the daughter be discharged forthwith.
They subsequently began making attempts to prevent the doctors and nurses from attending to the patient.
When matters were getting to a head, the doctors called for the assistance of the police to offer them the necessary protection.
Police Superintendent B.B. Bakomora, the James Town District Police commander, immediately responded to the call and dispatched a team of policemen and women to provide protection to the health team.
On the arrival of the police, some exchanges took place between the doctors and some members of the religious group lasting about two hours. The doctors finally resolved to have the girl transfused with the blood and that was done around 4.30pm on Tuesday.
Doctors said her condition was now stable and they hoped for improvement.
Superintendent Bakomora justified the actions of the medical staff, saying they owed it a duty to prevent the loss of life.
He said Section 79(1), (b) of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29) states that "A parent is under duty to give access to the necessities of health and life to the child who is not of age and capacity as to be able to obtain those basic necessities"."
JW man turns himself in to police for attempted pedophilia, at the behest
of secular counselors
"A man who tried to get an 11-year-old boy to have sex with him turned
himself in to police after being told to by counsellors.
Cambridge Crown Court heard Kirk Lefcovitch, 25, had repeatedly asked the child to perform sexual acts, as well as handing him pornography and sex toys.
Despite his admissions, and previous convictions against a boy aged 8 in 2000, he was spared jail.
Sara Walker, prosecuting, said: “In December last year Mr Lefcovitch asked the 11-year-old to expose himself, and the boy refused.
“The defendant then offered to show the boy his privates, to which the boy replied that he didn’t want to see it.
“He then showed the victim some porn and told him he wanted to have sex with him.
“There were occasions when the two spoke on the phone, and Mr Lefcovitch also made inappropriate comments then.”
The court heard that Lefcovitch had made a full confession to police, who were previously unaware of the incident, after being advised to do so by a counsellor at Cambridge’s Centre 33 – an organisation which gives advice to young people aged up to 25.
Georgina Gibbs, mitigating, said: “It is a very rare occurrence for an offender of this type to put themselves at risk and report themselves.
“The defendant has been receiving help from Centre 33 and his Jehovah’s Witness group.
“He is trying to go down a different course in his life. He has thrown away all his porn and has been deliberately excluding himself from activities which could have him in close proximity to youngsters.”
Lefcovitch, of The Brook, Sutton, was described in a pre-sentence report as a serious risk to children.
He has a previous conviction from 2000 for a string of sexual assaults on an 8-year-old boy.
Judge Anthony Bate said: “There was clearly an intention for the offence with the 11-year-old to go further than it did, but the prison sentences suggested in my guidelines would not be long enough for you to complete a sex offender’s course in prison.”
Judge Bate instead ordered Lefcovitch to take part in the Thames Valley Programme, which is a community sex offender group work course.
Lefcovitch was also made the subject of a 3-year community order with supervision requirements, and he must pay £400 court costs."
Source
Cambridge Crown Court heard Kirk Lefcovitch, 25, had repeatedly asked the child to perform sexual acts, as well as handing him pornography and sex toys.
Despite his admissions, and previous convictions against a boy aged 8 in 2000, he was spared jail.
Sara Walker, prosecuting, said: “In December last year Mr Lefcovitch asked the 11-year-old to expose himself, and the boy refused.
“The defendant then offered to show the boy his privates, to which the boy replied that he didn’t want to see it.
“He then showed the victim some porn and told him he wanted to have sex with him.
“There were occasions when the two spoke on the phone, and Mr Lefcovitch also made inappropriate comments then.”
The court heard that Lefcovitch had made a full confession to police, who were previously unaware of the incident, after being advised to do so by a counsellor at Cambridge’s Centre 33 – an organisation which gives advice to young people aged up to 25.
Georgina Gibbs, mitigating, said: “It is a very rare occurrence for an offender of this type to put themselves at risk and report themselves.
“The defendant has been receiving help from Centre 33 and his Jehovah’s Witness group.
“He is trying to go down a different course in his life. He has thrown away all his porn and has been deliberately excluding himself from activities which could have him in close proximity to youngsters.”
Lefcovitch, of The Brook, Sutton, was described in a pre-sentence report as a serious risk to children.
He has a previous conviction from 2000 for a string of sexual assaults on an 8-year-old boy.
Judge Anthony Bate said: “There was clearly an intention for the offence with the 11-year-old to go further than it did, but the prison sentences suggested in my guidelines would not be long enough for you to complete a sex offender’s course in prison.”
Judge Bate instead ordered Lefcovitch to take part in the Thames Valley Programme, which is a community sex offender group work course.
Lefcovitch was also made the subject of a 3-year community order with supervision requirements, and he must pay £400 court costs."
Source
JW sex offender wants rights to attend church
"A CHILD sex abuser of 86 is appealing against his ban from all
churches, claiming it violates his human rights.
Jehovah’s Witness John Drury used his respected position to entice vulnerable girls before carrying out a series of sex attacks.
The former RAF man befriended the families of his victims at church before inviting the children to his luxury six-bedroom home.
He was jailed for four years in 2005 after being found guilty of attacking girls between 1991 and 1998 as they played hide and seek.
After his release police became concerned about his behaviour and fears grew that he could strike again.
Officers got a court order banning Drury from any place of worship unless he gives seven days’ notice.
But now the pensioner, from Colchester, Essex, is appealing, saying his human rights are “being eroded”.
The hearing is at Chelmsford crown court next month."
Source
Jehovah’s Witness John Drury used his respected position to entice vulnerable girls before carrying out a series of sex attacks.
The former RAF man befriended the families of his victims at church before inviting the children to his luxury six-bedroom home.
He was jailed for four years in 2005 after being found guilty of attacking girls between 1991 and 1998 as they played hide and seek.
After his release police became concerned about his behaviour and fears grew that he could strike again.
Officers got a court order banning Drury from any place of worship unless he gives seven days’ notice.
But now the pensioner, from Colchester, Essex, is appealing, saying his human rights are “being eroded”.
The hearing is at Chelmsford crown court next month."
Source
Jehovah's Witness sexually assaulted young girls
"A Suffolk Jehovah’s Witness accused of sexually assaulting three
girls tried to rape one of them while his wife was in hospital having their
second child, it has been alleged.
Paul Wood tried to force himself on the 14-year-old girl at his home in Sudbury and allegedly hit her in the face, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
As a result of the alleged blow the girl suffered a cut to her face and thought she may have lost consciousness, said Andrew Thompson, prosecuting.
Three years later in 2000 the girl and another alleged victim told Jehovah’s Witnesses elders in west Suffolk about what Wood had allegedly done to them but it was left to the girls to decide if they wanted to go to the police.
“It was left very much to these two young people to decide if they wanted the police involved. The decision wasn’t taken by the elders and as the girls didn’t want to go to the police nothing was done in 2000,” said Mr Thompson.
He said that at the time neither of the girls felt strong enough to take the matter further and thought that once the church elders knew of the allegations Wood would be ostracised and that safeguards would be put in place to stop it happening again.
Then in 2009 one of Wood’s alleged victims discovered he was taking up a role with Jehovah’s Witnesses in another part of the country that would bring him into contact with young women and decided to go to the police with her allegations.
Wood, 40, who now lives in Derbyshire, has denied nine offences of indecent assault and one of attempted rape on a girl aged between eight and 14 between 1991 and 1997, two offences of indecent assault on a girl aged 12 to 15 between 1992 and 1996 and six offences of indecent assault and three offences of rape between 1988 and 1996 on a girl aged between 10 and 17.
Mr Thompson told the court that after Wood appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting the first two alleged victims a third alleged victim contacted the police and made allegations against him after her sister saw a press report of the proceedings.
During police interviews after his arrest Wood denied all the allegations made against him.
In a video taped interview played to the court yesterday one of the alleged victims said she had been scared of Wood and described him as a ”bully”.
The case continues today (Tues)."
Source - Source 2 (guilty verdict)
Paul Wood tried to force himself on the 14-year-old girl at his home in Sudbury and allegedly hit her in the face, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
As a result of the alleged blow the girl suffered a cut to her face and thought she may have lost consciousness, said Andrew Thompson, prosecuting.
Three years later in 2000 the girl and another alleged victim told Jehovah’s Witnesses elders in west Suffolk about what Wood had allegedly done to them but it was left to the girls to decide if they wanted to go to the police.
“It was left very much to these two young people to decide if they wanted the police involved. The decision wasn’t taken by the elders and as the girls didn’t want to go to the police nothing was done in 2000,” said Mr Thompson.
He said that at the time neither of the girls felt strong enough to take the matter further and thought that once the church elders knew of the allegations Wood would be ostracised and that safeguards would be put in place to stop it happening again.
Then in 2009 one of Wood’s alleged victims discovered he was taking up a role with Jehovah’s Witnesses in another part of the country that would bring him into contact with young women and decided to go to the police with her allegations.
Wood, 40, who now lives in Derbyshire, has denied nine offences of indecent assault and one of attempted rape on a girl aged between eight and 14 between 1991 and 1997, two offences of indecent assault on a girl aged 12 to 15 between 1992 and 1996 and six offences of indecent assault and three offences of rape between 1988 and 1996 on a girl aged between 10 and 17.
Mr Thompson told the court that after Wood appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting the first two alleged victims a third alleged victim contacted the police and made allegations against him after her sister saw a press report of the proceedings.
During police interviews after his arrest Wood denied all the allegations made against him.
In a video taped interview played to the court yesterday one of the alleged victims said she had been scared of Wood and described him as a ”bully”.
The case continues today (Tues)."
Source - Source 2 (guilty verdict)
Jehovah's Witness attacks football fans with a stun gun at sporting event,
arrested
"An NFL fan's failure to stand for the national anthem or keep quiet
during a moment of silence during a 9/11 ceremony lead to an embarrassing stun
gun fight.
Larry McKelvey, a Dallas Cowboys fan caught on tape using his stun gun on three people at Sunday night's Jets game, is defending his awful conduct.
The New York Daily News reports a group of Gang Green fans disapproved when McKelvey failed to stand for the national anthem and talked on his cell phone during a moment of silence for 9/11 victims. The 59-year-old said "I did what I had to do." He claims he's not a "criminal" and was just protecting himself.
The condemned Cowboys fan was released on $22,500 bail Monday night from a New Jersey jail. McKelvey's son, a New York radio deejay, told the newspaper it's against his Jehovah Witness father's religious beliefs to stand for the national anthem.
Police charged the man with three counts of aggravated assault and illegal possession of a stun gun.
Power 105.1's Charlamagne Tha God, McKelvey's son, says his old man walked right past security with the stun gun on his hip, rather than sneaking it by clueless security guards.
A witness told the Daily News that McKelvey was being "obnoxious," and chatted with friends during "Taps." When he attempted to get up and use the restroom, nobody would let him out. That led to some mean-spirited words and the use of the taser."
Source1 - Source2 - Source3 - Source4
Larry McKelvey, a Dallas Cowboys fan caught on tape using his stun gun on three people at Sunday night's Jets game, is defending his awful conduct.
The New York Daily News reports a group of Gang Green fans disapproved when McKelvey failed to stand for the national anthem and talked on his cell phone during a moment of silence for 9/11 victims. The 59-year-old said "I did what I had to do." He claims he's not a "criminal" and was just protecting himself.
The condemned Cowboys fan was released on $22,500 bail Monday night from a New Jersey jail. McKelvey's son, a New York radio deejay, told the newspaper it's against his Jehovah Witness father's religious beliefs to stand for the national anthem.
Police charged the man with three counts of aggravated assault and illegal possession of a stun gun.
Power 105.1's Charlamagne Tha God, McKelvey's son, says his old man walked right past security with the stun gun on his hip, rather than sneaking it by clueless security guards.
A witness told the Daily News that McKelvey was being "obnoxious," and chatted with friends during "Taps." When he attempted to get up and use the restroom, nobody would let him out. That led to some mean-spirited words and the use of the taser."
Source1 - Source2 - Source3 - Source4
Hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses involved in massive Ponzi Scheme based in
Spokane, WA
"Hundreds of investors victimized in an alleged Spokane-based Ponzi
scheme are now being sued by bankruptcy officials attempting to unravel the
complicated case of Little Loan Shoppe.
Some investors call it a “salt-in-the-wound” effort to wring money from those who were scammed out of their savings.
But the bankruptcy trustee pursuing this aptly named “claw-back” litigation said it may be the only way to ensure a fair payout. Cash collected from investors who received any kind of payment from Little Loan Shoppe will be pooled with other recoveries and redistributed equitably.
The company collapsed into bankruptcy in 2009; the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged in a civil complaint filed this week that founder Doris “Dee” Nelson raised about $135 million from more than 650 investors from 1999 to 2008. About 75 percent of the investors were members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses denomination, court records say."
Source
Some investors call it a “salt-in-the-wound” effort to wring money from those who were scammed out of their savings.
But the bankruptcy trustee pursuing this aptly named “claw-back” litigation said it may be the only way to ensure a fair payout. Cash collected from investors who received any kind of payment from Little Loan Shoppe will be pooled with other recoveries and redistributed equitably.
The company collapsed into bankruptcy in 2009; the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged in a civil complaint filed this week that founder Doris “Dee” Nelson raised about $135 million from more than 650 investors from 1999 to 2008. About 75 percent of the investors were members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses denomination, court records say."
Source
Police begin investigation into Watchtower concerning the inciting of
hatred for ex-members in religious literature
"War of words breaks out among Jehovah's Witnesses
By Jerome Taylor, Religious Affairs Correspondent
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
"The official magazine for Jehovah's Witnesses has described those who leave the church as "mentally diseased", prompting an outcry from former members and insiders concerned about the shunning of those who question official doctrine.
An article published in July's edition of The Watchtower warns followers to stay clear of "false teachers" who are condemned as being "mentally diseased" apostates who should be avoided at all costs. "Suppose that a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease," the article reads. "You would know what the doctor means, and you would strictly heed his warning. Well, apostates are 'mentally diseased', and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings."
A copy of the magazine, distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses around the world, was given to The Independent by a current member of the church who has become unhappy with official teaching but is afraid to leave for fear of losing his family.
"Many like me remain associated with the Witnesses out of fear of being uncovered as an 'apostate' and ousted, not just from the organisation, but from their own friends and families," said the man, who would only give the name John. "I find I am now branded as 'mentally diseased' – giving any who discover my true beliefs free licence to treat me with disdain."
As a faith with a centralised leadership, many forms of discipline are used to counter criticism of doctrine, with punishments ranging from restriction of official duties to excommunication. Those who have been thrown out of the church often find themselves ostracised by fellow believers.
A growing number of former and current Witnesses have begun to argue that the church's use of the word "mentally diseased" to describe defectors could be in breach of Britain's religious hatred laws. A group of former Witnesses in Portsmouth have now made an official complaint to Hampshire Police about the article and police are currently investigating.
Angus Robertson, a former Witness "elder" from Hampshire, who was present at the meeting with police officers, said: "The way scripture is being used to bully people must be challenged. If a religion was preaching that blacks or gays were mentally diseased there would understandable outrage."
Critics are also considering whether to complain to the Charity Commission. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Britain, which prints church doctrine in the UK, is a registered charity.
Rick Fenton, a spokesperson for the Watchtower Society, insisted last night that ostracisation was "a personal matter for each individual to decide for himself". "Any one of Jehovah's Witnesses is free to express their feelings and to ask questions," he said. "If a person changes their mind about Bible-based teachings they once held dear, we recognise their right to leave.""
Source - Source 2 - Source 3
By Jerome Taylor, Religious Affairs Correspondent
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
"The official magazine for Jehovah's Witnesses has described those who leave the church as "mentally diseased", prompting an outcry from former members and insiders concerned about the shunning of those who question official doctrine.
An article published in July's edition of The Watchtower warns followers to stay clear of "false teachers" who are condemned as being "mentally diseased" apostates who should be avoided at all costs. "Suppose that a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease," the article reads. "You would know what the doctor means, and you would strictly heed his warning. Well, apostates are 'mentally diseased', and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings."
A copy of the magazine, distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses around the world, was given to The Independent by a current member of the church who has become unhappy with official teaching but is afraid to leave for fear of losing his family.
"Many like me remain associated with the Witnesses out of fear of being uncovered as an 'apostate' and ousted, not just from the organisation, but from their own friends and families," said the man, who would only give the name John. "I find I am now branded as 'mentally diseased' – giving any who discover my true beliefs free licence to treat me with disdain."
As a faith with a centralised leadership, many forms of discipline are used to counter criticism of doctrine, with punishments ranging from restriction of official duties to excommunication. Those who have been thrown out of the church often find themselves ostracised by fellow believers.
A growing number of former and current Witnesses have begun to argue that the church's use of the word "mentally diseased" to describe defectors could be in breach of Britain's religious hatred laws. A group of former Witnesses in Portsmouth have now made an official complaint to Hampshire Police about the article and police are currently investigating.
Angus Robertson, a former Witness "elder" from Hampshire, who was present at the meeting with police officers, said: "The way scripture is being used to bully people must be challenged. If a religion was preaching that blacks or gays were mentally diseased there would understandable outrage."
Critics are also considering whether to complain to the Charity Commission. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Britain, which prints church doctrine in the UK, is a registered charity.
Rick Fenton, a spokesperson for the Watchtower Society, insisted last night that ostracisation was "a personal matter for each individual to decide for himself". "Any one of Jehovah's Witnesses is free to express their feelings and to ask questions," he said. "If a person changes their mind about Bible-based teachings they once held dear, we recognise their right to leave.""
Source - Source 2 - Source 3
JW parents refuse blood transfusion for premature newborn baby; court
overrules.
"THE HIGH Court has granted a Dublin maternity hospital orders
allowing it to perform, if required, an emergency blood transfusion to a baby
born prematurely just over a week ago.
The child, weighing less than a kilogram, was born in the Coombe hospital to Jehovah’s Witnesses parents who have refused to consent to a transfusion should it become necessary in an emergency.
Yesterday at the High Court, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, after hearing submissions from both the child’s father and the hospital, said he was satisfied to make orders allowing the hospital to administer a transfusion to the baby girl, who cannot be identified by order of the court, should the need arise.
The judge’s ruling means a transfusion will only be given to the baby should her condition deteriorate and it becomes necessary to save her life.
Eileen Barrington, counsel for the chief executive of the hospital, told the court the child was not in imminent danger. However, medical staff were concerned that if anything were to go wrong, it could go wrong very quickly.
The baby had been born at 28 weeks and five days in the maternity hospital last week and counsel said the baby still weighed less than a kilogram.
Given the baby’s condition, counsel said the child may require emergency treatment should she develop a number of serious conditions including an infection or respiratory difficulties.
If the child developed an infection, the risks included permanent brain damage or death.
Ms Barrington said doctors treating the child stated the only way an infection could be treated was by transfusion of blood or blood products.
“While this has been explained to the parents, however, they had refused to consent to a transfusion,” Ms Barrington said, adding the hospital was “aware of and fully respected the parents’ religious beliefs”. The child’s father, who was not legally represented, told the court that this was a stressful time for the family, particularly the child’s mother.
The family was “very happy” with the treatment their daughter received from the hospital to date but they “could not consent to a blood transfusion”.
“We love our girl, we want the best for her,” he said, adding that the family would like “all other options to be tried first”. His daughter was “not sick now, she is very well” before adding “the best we can hope for is that this would be used as a last resort”.
The judge, in granting the hospital the orders it sought, also gave the child’s parents permission to have the matter mentioned again before the courts should the circumstances change."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3
The child, weighing less than a kilogram, was born in the Coombe hospital to Jehovah’s Witnesses parents who have refused to consent to a transfusion should it become necessary in an emergency.
Yesterday at the High Court, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, after hearing submissions from both the child’s father and the hospital, said he was satisfied to make orders allowing the hospital to administer a transfusion to the baby girl, who cannot be identified by order of the court, should the need arise.
The judge’s ruling means a transfusion will only be given to the baby should her condition deteriorate and it becomes necessary to save her life.
Eileen Barrington, counsel for the chief executive of the hospital, told the court the child was not in imminent danger. However, medical staff were concerned that if anything were to go wrong, it could go wrong very quickly.
The baby had been born at 28 weeks and five days in the maternity hospital last week and counsel said the baby still weighed less than a kilogram.
Given the baby’s condition, counsel said the child may require emergency treatment should she develop a number of serious conditions including an infection or respiratory difficulties.
If the child developed an infection, the risks included permanent brain damage or death.
Ms Barrington said doctors treating the child stated the only way an infection could be treated was by transfusion of blood or blood products.
“While this has been explained to the parents, however, they had refused to consent to a transfusion,” Ms Barrington said, adding the hospital was “aware of and fully respected the parents’ religious beliefs”. The child’s father, who was not legally represented, told the court that this was a stressful time for the family, particularly the child’s mother.
The family was “very happy” with the treatment their daughter received from the hospital to date but they “could not consent to a blood transfusion”.
“We love our girl, we want the best for her,” he said, adding that the family would like “all other options to be tried first”. His daughter was “not sick now, she is very well” before adding “the best we can hope for is that this would be used as a last resort”.
The judge, in granting the hospital the orders it sought, also gave the child’s parents permission to have the matter mentioned again before the courts should the circumstances change."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3
Police Blotter: Elders stalk, spy on former JW woman
"A Sprague Road woman told police Oct. 26 that she is a former
Jehovah's Witness and the group has been calling her.
She did not report the incidents until someone from the group said he has been watching her and her house for two weeks.
Police determined who the calls were coming from. They said they would call the man and tell him to stop bothering her."
Source
She did not report the incidents until someone from the group said he has been watching her and her house for two weeks.
Police determined who the calls were coming from. They said they would call the man and tell him to stop bothering her."
Source
Jehovah's Witness and convicted child molester rapes young girls, then goes
out 'preaching' door-to-door
"A convicted sex attacker raped and violently molested two young girls
as he fought deportation on human rights grounds.
Asylum-seeker William Danga, 39, subjected the children to appalling abuse before and after he was jailed for raping a teenager.
One was just four years old when the Congolese national forced himself on her before heading out to preach as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Yesterday a judge said it was ‘remarkable’ that the sex attacker was not thrown out of Britain after being jailed for ten years for raping a 16-year-old girl a decade ago.
Officials were ordered to deport Danga at the end of his sentence but he frustrated their efforts after losing his passport.
He was then freed on immigration bail while he challenged the move on the grounds that he had a right to a ‘family life’ because he had children with a young girlfriend.
The case is the latest in a string of outrages in which dangerous foreign criminals have used European laws to continue living here.
Just two months ago Nigerian rapist Akindoyin Akinshipe, 24, escaped deportation after European judges ruled he had a right to a ‘private life’ in Britain.
Like many others, he used Article 8 of the Human Rights Act to claim the right to a ‘family life’.
Home Secretary Theresa May wants to scale back the use of the controversial clause in a bid to wrest back more control over our borders.
Danga was convicted of rape and a string of other sexual offences yesterday after a five-day trial at Croydon Crown Court, and jailed for 15 years.
His victims, now aged 14 and 12, were forced to relive their ordeals as they gave evidence to the jury via video link. The elder girl was first abused in 2000, when she was four.
Danga repeatedly attacked her before church meetings, but she escaped his clutches when he was sent from South East London to live in an immigration hostel in Portsmouth a year later.
It was there that Danga was convicted of violently raping the 16-year-old girl in her bedroom after she tried to end their friendship.
He was convicted of rape and jailed for ten years, with the judge ordering him to be deported on his release.
Asylum-seeker William Danga, 39, subjected the children to appalling abuse before and after he was jailed for raping a teenager.
One was just four years old when the Congolese national forced himself on her before heading out to preach as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Yesterday a judge said it was ‘remarkable’ that the sex attacker was not thrown out of Britain after being jailed for ten years for raping a 16-year-old girl a decade ago.
Officials were ordered to deport Danga at the end of his sentence but he frustrated their efforts after losing his passport.
He was then freed on immigration bail while he challenged the move on the grounds that he had a right to a ‘family life’ because he had children with a young girlfriend.
The case is the latest in a string of outrages in which dangerous foreign criminals have used European laws to continue living here.
Just two months ago Nigerian rapist Akindoyin Akinshipe, 24, escaped deportation after European judges ruled he had a right to a ‘private life’ in Britain.
Like many others, he used Article 8 of the Human Rights Act to claim the right to a ‘family life’.
Home Secretary Theresa May wants to scale back the use of the controversial clause in a bid to wrest back more control over our borders.
Danga was convicted of rape and a string of other sexual offences yesterday after a five-day trial at Croydon Crown Court, and jailed for 15 years.
His victims, now aged 14 and 12, were forced to relive their ordeals as they gave evidence to the jury via video link. The elder girl was first abused in 2000, when she was four.
Danga repeatedly attacked her before church meetings, but she escaped his clutches when he was sent from South East London to live in an immigration hostel in Portsmouth a year later.
It was there that Danga was convicted of violently raping the 16-year-old girl in her bedroom after she tried to end their friendship.
He was convicted of rape and jailed for ten years, with the judge ordering him to be deported on his release.
But in 2006 he was able to return to South East London after serving half his sentence, and began his legal battle to stay in Britain.
He began sexually abusing his first victim again before raping and molesting the second girl, who was just seven.
She said Danga wore a smart brown suit and would leave after the attacks to knock on doors and teach people about the Bible.
The younger victim told officers Danga would entice her into the bedroom by playing her pop hits including ‘Don’t Cha’ by the Pussycat Dolls on his mobile phone.
Describing one attack, she said: ‘I didn’t really like it but I didn’t say anything because of the music. I didn’t want it to happen again.’
Asked why she did not tell her parents, she added: ‘It crossed my mind a few times but then it was like, I felt like really bad because I felt it was all my fault.’
Yesterday Judge Nicholas Ainley jailed Danga of Beckenham, South East London, and ordered that he be deported on his release.
He said it was ‘astonishing’ he had been allowed to remain in Britain after being freed the first time in 2006.
Unemployed Danga, who has two young children with his girlfriend Carla, whom he met when she was 18, shouted abuse at relatives of the two girls as he was led to the cells.
Last year around 200 foreign criminals won the right to stay in this country using Article 8, the right to a ‘private and family life’.
They included failed asylum seeker Aso Mohammed Ibrahim, who ran over 12-year-old Amy Houston and left her to ‘die like a dog’. He has fathered two children here.
Tory ministers have pledged to replace the Human Rights Act – which enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights into British law – with a UK Bill of Rights, but they have been opposed by their Lib Dem coalition partners.
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: ‘We will seek to remove this individual as soon as he has finished his sentence. In 2010 we deported 5,235 foreign national prisoners from the UK.’"
Source
Jehovah's Witness man accused of setting his wife on fire
"Naomi joins the list of Nigerian women murdered by their husbands.
Naomi Chidiebere 24, was the happiest woman in the world when she married Dick Chidiebere, 34, at the Jehovah's Witness church at Ijegun in November 2011.
Sadly, Naomi who was the envy of the single ladies at the wedding is lying in the morgue because her husband allegedly set her ablaze following a quarrel.
The incident happened on February 10, 2012 at the couple’s four bedroom residence in Ijegun barely three months after the couple exchanged their wedding vows.
Naomi, who narrated how her husband set her ablaze on her hospital bed before she gave up the ghost, said on that fateful day, said Dick, a sailor, came back home late in the night drunk and she challenged him on his drinking habit, which according to her infuriated him as he beat her up and later rushed into the store where they kept petrol for the generating set and poured it on her as she ran into the closet to hide from his beating.
Naomi further stated that Dick set her ablaze while she was in the closet.
According to a neighbour’s report to the police, Naomi ran close to a mile to her friend’s house at Ijegun waterside and the friend and her family rushed her to the hospital where she narrated to them how her husband allegedly set her ablaze.
The case was reported at the Satellite Police Station and Chidiebere was arrested as he attempted to travel out of the country. The case has been transferred to the Homicide department at Panti Yaba for further investigation.
Chidiebere however denied setting his wife ablaze.
He told the police he heard a mysterious explosion in his kitchen that fateful night and rushed to see what was happening, only for him to discover that his wife’s room and wardrobe was on fire and he tried desperately to quench the fire.
“I did not kill my life as it is been alleged. I came back home that night about 12.00am and my wife welcomed me. I am not sure what happened but know we had a little quarrel which I left her to go and sleep in my room. Not too long, I heard a powerful explosion in the kitchen and it woke me up," he said in a statement to the police.
"I ran out to see what was wrong and to look for my wife but she was not around anywhere in the house, I thought she had ran out to get help and I waited till day break but still did not see her. I did not kill her, why will I kill somebody I just got married to? This is a strange fire but I am not responsible.”
Police officers however said they found Naomi’s wardrobe closet burnt, and her room was in disarray with her sofa also completely destroyed by the fire.
They also recovered a ten-litre plastic container with fuel inside, the burnt mattress was also taken as an exhibit.
It was gathered that Naomi died barely one week after sustaining the burnt; her corpse has since been deposited at the Isolo General hospital for autopsy."
Source
Naomi Chidiebere 24, was the happiest woman in the world when she married Dick Chidiebere, 34, at the Jehovah's Witness church at Ijegun in November 2011.
Sadly, Naomi who was the envy of the single ladies at the wedding is lying in the morgue because her husband allegedly set her ablaze following a quarrel.
The incident happened on February 10, 2012 at the couple’s four bedroom residence in Ijegun barely three months after the couple exchanged their wedding vows.
Naomi, who narrated how her husband set her ablaze on her hospital bed before she gave up the ghost, said on that fateful day, said Dick, a sailor, came back home late in the night drunk and she challenged him on his drinking habit, which according to her infuriated him as he beat her up and later rushed into the store where they kept petrol for the generating set and poured it on her as she ran into the closet to hide from his beating.
Naomi further stated that Dick set her ablaze while she was in the closet.
According to a neighbour’s report to the police, Naomi ran close to a mile to her friend’s house at Ijegun waterside and the friend and her family rushed her to the hospital where she narrated to them how her husband allegedly set her ablaze.
The case was reported at the Satellite Police Station and Chidiebere was arrested as he attempted to travel out of the country. The case has been transferred to the Homicide department at Panti Yaba for further investigation.
Chidiebere however denied setting his wife ablaze.
He told the police he heard a mysterious explosion in his kitchen that fateful night and rushed to see what was happening, only for him to discover that his wife’s room and wardrobe was on fire and he tried desperately to quench the fire.
“I did not kill my life as it is been alleged. I came back home that night about 12.00am and my wife welcomed me. I am not sure what happened but know we had a little quarrel which I left her to go and sleep in my room. Not too long, I heard a powerful explosion in the kitchen and it woke me up," he said in a statement to the police.
"I ran out to see what was wrong and to look for my wife but she was not around anywhere in the house, I thought she had ran out to get help and I waited till day break but still did not see her. I did not kill her, why will I kill somebody I just got married to? This is a strange fire but I am not responsible.”
Police officers however said they found Naomi’s wardrobe closet burnt, and her room was in disarray with her sofa also completely destroyed by the fire.
They also recovered a ten-litre plastic container with fuel inside, the burnt mattress was also taken as an exhibit.
It was gathered that Naomi died barely one week after sustaining the burnt; her corpse has since been deposited at the Isolo General hospital for autopsy."
Source
US Marshals hunting for Jehovah's Witness child sex offender
"States marshals in New Mexico added Sergio Luevano, who is accused of
child sex abuse, to their district's Most Wanted listed.
Luevano was indicted by a grand jury on second degree criminal sexual contact of a minor charges April 14, 2011.
Police said that during March 2010, Luevano touched or applied force to the unclothed intimate parts of a child under the age of 12. Luevano is a member of the Jehovah Witness Church and confessed to elders in the church that he did touch the child, police said.
Luevano is believed to have fled to Mexico or may be in the borderland area of El Paso and Dona Ana County.
Report any information regarding Luevano to the United States Marshals Service for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces at 575-527-6850."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3
Luevano was indicted by a grand jury on second degree criminal sexual contact of a minor charges April 14, 2011.
Police said that during March 2010, Luevano touched or applied force to the unclothed intimate parts of a child under the age of 12. Luevano is a member of the Jehovah Witness Church and confessed to elders in the church that he did touch the child, police said.
Luevano is believed to have fled to Mexico or may be in the borderland area of El Paso and Dona Ana County.
Report any information regarding Luevano to the United States Marshals Service for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces at 575-527-6850."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3
Jehovah's Witness man found guilty of indecent sexual assault of a boy
"A FORMER school bus driver from Penpedairheol has been convicted of
indecently assaulting a boy a decade ago.
David Evans, 46, a practising Jehovah’s Witness, was found guilty following two trials at Cardiff Crown Court.
At his first trial last summer, a jury failed to agree on verdicts.
Evans, of Gelliron, Penpedairheol, denied the allegations made by a man, now aged in his 20s.
But a second jury convicted him of five charges and he will face sentence next month.
At his first trial, his accuser revealed that he had not told his parents about what happened until last year.
He said he spoke out after spotting Evans in a car with a small boy.
“If the same thing happened to somebody else, I couldn’t have lived with myself,” he told the court, which heard that Evans was called to a meeting of the elders of his church in Aberbargoed after the allegations were made. He told them the accusations were untrue. Evans was bailed by Judge David Wynn Morgan."
Source
David Evans, 46, a practising Jehovah’s Witness, was found guilty following two trials at Cardiff Crown Court.
At his first trial last summer, a jury failed to agree on verdicts.
Evans, of Gelliron, Penpedairheol, denied the allegations made by a man, now aged in his 20s.
But a second jury convicted him of five charges and he will face sentence next month.
At his first trial, his accuser revealed that he had not told his parents about what happened until last year.
He said he spoke out after spotting Evans in a car with a small boy.
“If the same thing happened to somebody else, I couldn’t have lived with myself,” he told the court, which heard that Evans was called to a meeting of the elders of his church in Aberbargoed after the allegations were made. He told them the accusations were untrue. Evans was bailed by Judge David Wynn Morgan."
Source
Jehovah's Witness elder accused of murder
"The businessman, who recently landed a R25-million government tender,
faces a charge of murder in a case that has shaken the local chapter of
Jehovah's Witnesses in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
Qusheka's company, Qush Cleaning Services, has a three-year contract to provide cleaning services to the local Mthatha Hospital Complex.
But it was at his hardware store in a small village near Mthatha that one of his employees got beaten to death three months ago.
Sakhumzi Ncedana was tied to a pole and beaten viciously, allegedly by Qusheka and four security guards. The Qunu-born victim's family is still "too traumatised" to talk about his death.
Prosecutors at the court in Bityi, where Qusheka and his four security guards appeared two weeks ago, said the victim was allegedly beaten for driving one of his employer's trucks into a ditch, getting it stuck.
Qusheka, 37, is alleged to have instructed the guards to assault the driver. The men are out on R1500 bail each. They have not pleaded.
Following his arrest, Qusheka told fellow Jehovah's Witnesses elders that the beating was administered by his security staff.
Jehovah's Witnesses have strict views on killing. White members of the church refused to be conscripted into the defence force, as apartheid laws ordered them to do, because they are forbidden to kill .
Frans Muller, head of the Watchtower society, which furthers the interests of Jehovah's Witnesses in South Africa, said an internal committee would investigate the matter.
"We take a firm stand on murder and have a definite policy to look into anything done by people who deliberately violate principles. People make mistakes and we are merciful when that happens."
But, he said, "scriptural principle" forbade, among other things, murder, fornication, theft and adultery and action could therefore be taken against Qusheka. "Even if it is for so much as giving the command that this man be beaten, leading to his death, he is responsible, even if not directly. A command to beat another man, and that man dies, makes him guilty before God," said Muller.
A meeting was held by elders on February 11 to determine Qusheka's fate. No action has been taken yet.
Mark Sherwood, also an elder at the church, said on Thursday that the matter was still "under consideration". He denied that Qusheka was still actively involved in the church's leadership.
Within months of joining the Qunu congregation, Qusheka gave a lecture at the Walter Sisulu University of Technology to worshippers on how to teach their families about the Bible and how to interpret it.
In three weeks, Qusheka did not respond to a number of voice messages and SMSes left on his cellphone, and messages left with his relatives elicited no reaction either.
Qush Holdings Group is a 100% black-owned firm that has spawned several businesses in the province, including security services, pest control, cleaning and gardening services, and cartage services.
Eastern Cape Health Department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo confirmed that Qusheka had secured a three-year tender - worth R8.3-million a year - for cleaning the Mthatha Hospital Complex."
Source
Qusheka's company, Qush Cleaning Services, has a three-year contract to provide cleaning services to the local Mthatha Hospital Complex.
But it was at his hardware store in a small village near Mthatha that one of his employees got beaten to death three months ago.
Sakhumzi Ncedana was tied to a pole and beaten viciously, allegedly by Qusheka and four security guards. The Qunu-born victim's family is still "too traumatised" to talk about his death.
Prosecutors at the court in Bityi, where Qusheka and his four security guards appeared two weeks ago, said the victim was allegedly beaten for driving one of his employer's trucks into a ditch, getting it stuck.
Qusheka, 37, is alleged to have instructed the guards to assault the driver. The men are out on R1500 bail each. They have not pleaded.
Following his arrest, Qusheka told fellow Jehovah's Witnesses elders that the beating was administered by his security staff.
Jehovah's Witnesses have strict views on killing. White members of the church refused to be conscripted into the defence force, as apartheid laws ordered them to do, because they are forbidden to kill .
Frans Muller, head of the Watchtower society, which furthers the interests of Jehovah's Witnesses in South Africa, said an internal committee would investigate the matter.
"We take a firm stand on murder and have a definite policy to look into anything done by people who deliberately violate principles. People make mistakes and we are merciful when that happens."
But, he said, "scriptural principle" forbade, among other things, murder, fornication, theft and adultery and action could therefore be taken against Qusheka. "Even if it is for so much as giving the command that this man be beaten, leading to his death, he is responsible, even if not directly. A command to beat another man, and that man dies, makes him guilty before God," said Muller.
A meeting was held by elders on February 11 to determine Qusheka's fate. No action has been taken yet.
Mark Sherwood, also an elder at the church, said on Thursday that the matter was still "under consideration". He denied that Qusheka was still actively involved in the church's leadership.
Within months of joining the Qunu congregation, Qusheka gave a lecture at the Walter Sisulu University of Technology to worshippers on how to teach their families about the Bible and how to interpret it.
In three weeks, Qusheka did not respond to a number of voice messages and SMSes left on his cellphone, and messages left with his relatives elicited no reaction either.
Qush Holdings Group is a 100% black-owned firm that has spawned several businesses in the province, including security services, pest control, cleaning and gardening services, and cartage services.
Eastern Cape Health Department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo confirmed that Qusheka had secured a three-year tender - worth R8.3-million a year - for cleaning the Mthatha Hospital Complex."
Source
Jehovah's Witness Child-Carer guilty of abusing multiple children in
'sadistic' crimes
"Eunice Spry, a church-going carer from Gloucestershire, has been
found guilty of abusing children in her care.
Bristol Crown Court heard how the children were made to eat their own vomit as punishment for being greedy."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3 - Source 4 - Source 5 - Source 6
Bristol Crown Court heard how the children were made to eat their own vomit as punishment for being greedy."
Source 1 - Source 2 - Source 3 - Source 4 - Source 5 - Source 6
(many more stories and sources available, Google search "Eunice
Spry")
Jehovah's Witness man beats down step-son's door with an Axe
"A JEHOVAH’S Witness from Ringwood broke down his step-son’s door with
an axe during a row, a court heard.
Paul Kelly, of Crow Lane, used the weapon on the door of Damien Rogers’ bedroom after he barricaded himself in.
Kelly, 45, told police he was determined to get into the room so he could throw his stepson out after years of problems between the two.
Prosecutor Barnaby Shaw told Southampton Crown Court problems began between the pair when Kelly moved in with Mr Rogers’ mother four years ago.
But matters escalated when Mr Rogers discovered the cable to his computer had been cut by Kelly.
In retaliation Mr Rogers then cut the cable on his step-father’s television.
He knew the action would result in Kelly “going mental”, said Mr Shaw and so he barricaded himself into his bedroom using a chest of drawers pushed up against the door.
Kelly, who admitted affray, told police problems between them had arised because some of his step-son’s behaviour was contrary to Jehovah’s Witness beliefs.
He was sentenced to a 24-month community order with a requirement he attends a domestic violence programme and was ordered to pay £150 costs."
Source
Paul Kelly, of Crow Lane, used the weapon on the door of Damien Rogers’ bedroom after he barricaded himself in.
Kelly, 45, told police he was determined to get into the room so he could throw his stepson out after years of problems between the two.
Prosecutor Barnaby Shaw told Southampton Crown Court problems began between the pair when Kelly moved in with Mr Rogers’ mother four years ago.
But matters escalated when Mr Rogers discovered the cable to his computer had been cut by Kelly.
In retaliation Mr Rogers then cut the cable on his step-father’s television.
He knew the action would result in Kelly “going mental”, said Mr Shaw and so he barricaded himself into his bedroom using a chest of drawers pushed up against the door.
Kelly, who admitted affray, told police problems between them had arised because some of his step-son’s behaviour was contrary to Jehovah’s Witness beliefs.
He was sentenced to a 24-month community order with a requirement he attends a domestic violence programme and was ordered to pay £150 costs."
Source
Jehovah's Witness voyeur used hidden camera in briefcase to take upskirt
images
"A Jehova's Witness
filmed up the skirts of hundreds of women and schoolgirls in central
Wellington, and when visiting private homes to spread the faith.
Police believe at least 1000
women and girls could have been filmed by the man, 36, who would leave work at
lunchtime to spy up their skirts on a handmade device attached to his
briefcase.
The former Department of
Internal Affairs employee, who has name suppression, has now been kicked out of
his church. A member of his congregation at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's
Witnesses in Kilbirnie confirmed he was not welcome back.
"He has been
removed," the church member said. "Everybody has been very saddened
by what has taken place. Any act of that nature is a concern."
After the man's arrest in
March, police found 1400 recordings, most of which they believe he made around
Wellington from February to October last year.
He altered a laptop bag to
hide a camera, tailing groups of schoolgirls in Lambton Quay and around
Wellington's central business district. He would manoeuvre the camera to film
shots up their skirts, sometimes following them into food and clothing stores.
Pupils from five Wellington
high schools were identified.
He sometimes targeted mothers
with young children, and filmed in the Wellington public library.
He also filmed women from his
church as they went door-knocking, or during church meetings.
He installed a camera in the
lounge of another person's home and in his own bathroom, where he caught church
colleagues and family friends in their underwear or naked.
A Jehovah's Witness elder said
the church was shocked and working with victims of a "harrowing"
experience. "We have very high standards and it's just blown us away that
this has happened."
The bulk of the recordings
were made during work hours and lunch breaks, Detective Senior Sergeant John
van den Heuvel said.
"He wasn't specific about
which schoolgirls he filmed. If they were walking through the CBD, it appears,
as far as he was concerned, they were fair game."
The man was eventually caught
after a Farmers security guard monitoring CCTV cameras noticed him lurking
behind women in the Cuba Mall store.
The guard followed him around
the shop floor, and noticed a strange, USB-shaped device protruding from his
briefcase, Farmers loss prevention manager Nathan Breed said.
"The male was then
positioning the briefcase in a way that the security guard believed would give
him observation up women's skirts."
When the security guard
approached the man, he denied all accusations and left quickly. The guard
phoned police, and followed him down the street until they arrived.
Mr Breed said similar
incidents had happened at other Farmers stores nationwide, but never with such
an elaborate device. "Usually it's with mobile phones."
When police tried to take the
man back to the station, he tried to ditch the camera and denied what he had
been doing. Later he co-operated to allow police to identify some of the
victims.
He pleaded guilty to six
charges in Wellington District Court yesterday, relating to 98 videos sampled
from 1400 seized by police.
Each recording featured
multiple victims in their underwear, and there were 180 victims in the sample
videos.
There was no reason to believe
the man had not made all 1400 videos, Mr van den Heuvel said. Police did not
think any videos had been traded or distributed.
"What he's pleaded guilty
to are the six charges, and the 98 videos were a fair representation of what
was filmed. He's pleaded guilty to making those intimate recordings."
Defence lawyer Ian Miller said
the man had not admitted making all the videos.
"We are quite firm in
that what he has pleaded guilty to is not making 1400 records."
Mr van den Heuvel said that,
although the vast majority of his victims would not know they had been filmed,
police took the offending seriously.
Wellington schools contacted
by The Dominion Post yesterday had no knowledge of the snooping.
Wellington Girls' College
principal Julia Davidson said it was horrendous, and questioned why schools had
not been notified by police. "I would have thought the police would have
let us know - that's just so creepy."
Judge Chris Tuohy remanded the
man until next month for sentencing.
- © Fairfax NZ News"
3 commentaires:
Quelle bande de canailloux ces TJ. Pour un peu j'aurais juré qu'ils étaient tous des p'tits choux.
Bonjour,
Lorsque j'ai regardé la carte du monde avec vos petits signets indiquant les lieux où il s'et passé quelque chose avec un ou des témoins de Jéhovah, j'ai eu un sourire, pour la seule raison que je m'imagine la carte du monde avec des signets de catholiques, protestants, évangéliques ou autres, ayant été impliqués dans des affaires comme celles de TdJ, je crois que votre planisphère serait bleue entièrement. Je pense que vous exagérés un peu, vous poussez vraiment le bouchon un peu loin. Et pourtant je ne suis pas témoin de Jéhovah ou autres.
Les temoin de jehovah se disent etre la seul vrai religion au monde, donc je pense que cette carte il l'on mis pour montrer que les TDJ sont comme les autre religion... Et si chez les TDJ il y a moin de point bleu c'est tout simplement parce qu'il sont beaucoup moin nombreux que les catholique ou évangélique ou musulman etc..
Finalement ils sont comme les autre religion.
Et je sais de quoi je parle..
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