Arizona Man Arrested For Burning, Urinating On The Bible
A 22-year-old Arizona man who calls himself “Dark Lord” was arrested for allegedly burning a Bible and urinating on it outside a Christian-oriented homeless shelter in northern Arizona, according to police.
Reuters reports that Eric Minerault was booked into jail late on Thursday on suspicion of one count of unlawful symbol burning stemming from the incident at the Gospel Rescue Mission, Prescott police spokesman Lieutenant Ken Morley said in a written statement.
When officers arrived, they found Minerault standing on the steps, with a burned and wet Bible on the ground near him. The suspect admitted to the act and told officers the mission was selected because he believed it was a place of Christian worship and he was “cursing the Christians,” according to police.
When officers asked him why, he said because he was the “Dark Lord.”
Minerault was wearing black as well as a black-and-red robe and a pentagram necklace.
Sheriff’s officials said he remained in jail on Friday afternoon on the misdemeanor charge.
According to Reuters, Dan Pochoda, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, said the arrest raises questions as to whether Minerault’s First Amendment freedom of speech rights were violated.
Pochoda did say he was not familiar with the charge cited, but added that courts have upheld laws that bar symbols like crosses from being burned.
H/T: My buddy @TomCinmidlife with thanks.
Image: AP
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By: Anomaly100
tiredoftea August 29th, 2014 at 22:37
Perhaps the “Dark Lord” will bring a stronger wand next time.
tiredoftea August 29th, 2014 at 22:37
Perhaps the “Dark Lord” will bring a stronger wand next time.
Dwendt44 August 29th, 2014 at 23:04
I would think a charge of public urination would be more appropriate.
edmeyer_able August 30th, 2014 at 07:34
Wait…..THAT’S ILLEGAL?
Dwendt44 August 29th, 2014 at 23:04
I would think a charge of public urination would be more appropriate.
edmeyer_able August 30th, 2014 at 07:34
Wait…..THAT’S ILLEGAL?
Tommy6860 August 29th, 2014 at 23:05
Arizona eh? I wonder if this guy was at one time, part of the gang that imagined invaders coming into their Florida meth lab.
neworleans878 August 29th, 2014 at 23:05
Wonder if all those who defended Terry Jones’ desire to burn the Quran will defend this idiot.
M D Reese August 29th, 2014 at 23:46
Three guesses? No, no, and no.
Tommy6860 August 29th, 2014 at 23:05
Arizona eh? I wonder if this guy was at one time, part of the gang that imagined invaders coming into their Florida meth lab.
nola878 August 29th, 2014 at 23:05
Wonder if all those who defended Terry Jones’ desire to burn the Quran will defend this idiot.
M D Reese August 29th, 2014 at 23:46
Three guesses? No, no, and no.
edmeyer_able August 29th, 2014 at 23:07
courts have upheld laws that bar symbols like crosses from being burned.
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While I don’t agree w/bible or quran burning that seems like thought police, however doing it on the steps of the mission could be considered vandalism, I imagine.
edmeyer_able August 29th, 2014 at 23:07
courts have upheld laws that bar symbols like crosses from being burned.
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While I don’t agree w/bible or quran burning that seems like thought police, however doing it on the steps of the mission could be considered vandalism, I imagine.
Clearwater1948 August 30th, 2014 at 00:30
If he would have urinated on the bible of Quran would he have been arrested of a hate crime so I ask whats the difference?
Guest August 30th, 2014 at 00:30
If he would have urinated on the bible of Quran would he have been arrested of a hate crime so I ask whats the difference?
JimNauseam August 30th, 2014 at 00:36
I guess this is a bad time to admit I sometimes start my barbeque with one.
JimNauseam August 30th, 2014 at 00:36
I guess this is a bad time to admit I sometimes start my barbeque with one.
Clearwater1948 August 30th, 2014 at 00:54
If he would have urinated on the Quran would he have been arrested of a hate crime so I ask whats the difference?
edmeyer_able August 30th, 2014 at 07:44
I suppose you can urinate on most any book you want just not on private property or in public. Here have a cookie.
MarcoZandrini August 30th, 2014 at 09:49
No, he’d be awarded a medal by the mayor.
Clearwater1948 August 30th, 2014 at 00:54
If he would have urinated on the Quran would he have been arrested of a hate crime so I ask whats the difference?
Guest August 30th, 2014 at 07:32
I suppose you can pi$$ on most any book you want just not on private property or in public. Here have a cookie.
Adam J. Reizner August 30th, 2014 at 19:01
Have one for yourself. The commentary is based on the specificity of the statute under which he was arrested. He wasn’t charged for setting a fire but for what he set fire to. That is a first amendment violation. It’s not that difficult to follow. Try to keep up while the grownups are talking.
edmeyer_able August 30th, 2014 at 07:44
I suppose you can urinate on most any book you want just not on private property or in public. Here have a cookie.
MarcoZandrini August 30th, 2014 at 09:49
No, he’d be awarded a medal by the mayor.
Dave Lanson August 30th, 2014 at 01:01
I guess it’s OK for wackos to burn the Quran or any other book that’s not holy to white people.
Adam J. Reizner August 30th, 2014 at 18:58
Like Larry (klansman) Klayman? I’m white and no book is holy to me.
Dave Lanson August 30th, 2014 at 01:01
I guess it’s OK for wackos to burn the Quran or any other book that’s not holy to white people.
Adam J. Reizner August 30th, 2014 at 18:58
Like Larry (klansman) Klayman? I’m white and no book is holy to me.
B. Allan Ross, BasherEliminatr August 30th, 2014 at 01:08
Clearly a devout man in his faith, I love the look of the mug shot. Thoroughly committed to his ceremony and now he’s established his connection with his Dark Flock as their Dark Lord, right? Pissing on a book where he did, then hanging around to be caught (make a few opening statements) tells me we’ll be hearing more from this Dark Lord dramatist.
Larry Schmitt August 30th, 2014 at 09:20
Works for me.
B. Allan Ross, BasherEliminatr August 30th, 2014 at 01:08
Clearly a devout man in his faith, I love the look of the mug shot. Thoroughly committed to his ceremony and now he’s established his connection with his Dark Flock as their Dark Lord, right? Pissing on a book where he did, then hanging around to be caught (make a few opening statements) tells me we’ll be hearing more from this Dark Lord dramatist.
Larry Schmitt August 30th, 2014 at 09:20
Works for me.