Quran-Burning Pastor Terry Jones Requests Jury Trial in Dearborn Court
Florida Pastor Terry Jones was in court in Dearborn Thursday afternoon. He asked for a jury trial to see whether he needed a peace bond to proceed with a demonstration he planned in the city Friday. Stay tuned for updates.
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Florida Pastor Terry Jones and his associate Wayne Sapp appeared at the 19th District Court Thursday afternoon in Dearborn to decide whether he will be legally permitted to demonstrate in the city on Good Friday.
At the 3 p.m. hearing, Judge Mark Somers gave Jones and Sapp the option to have the need for a peace bond determined by either a jury, or by judge. Both men indicated that they would prefer a jury trial.
Because of the late timeframe of the Thursday hearing and need to select a jury, the trial will not be held until 9 a.m. Friday morning.
Judge Somers, however, noted that "justice delayed is justice denied," and that he would make every effort to have a decision made in his court before 5 p.m. Friday–the time Jones had originally planned to demonstrate.
A complaint filed against Jones, as well as his associates at the Dove Outreach Center, Stephanie and Wayne Sapp, was issued by the Wayne County prosecutor’s office on April 15 after mounting evidence suggested that Jones’ planned event could potentially start a riot.
In the court filing against Jones–who, with Wayne Sapp, has burned a Quran and was accused of inciting violence in the past–Dearborn Police Department officials detailed their concerns that Jones would breach the peace. They say the Florida pastor’s plans for a demonstration at Dearborn’s Islamic Center of America this Friday would be logistically and fiscally impossible, and put lives at stake.
Judge Somers said in court Thursday that he believed the action of both the city and the prosecutor's office were justified.
"The court concludes that requirement of the permit was lawful, that the denial of the permit was also lawful," Somers told Jones. "The threat of violating the (city) ordinance requiring a permit … did constitute just reason to believe that you intend to commit a breach of peace by engaging in unlawful assembly."
"Whether you in fact intend to incite riots … or engage in unprotected speech is an issue that has not been determined," he added. "The bottom line is that the court believes they met the threshold."
Jones was given the option of trying to negotiate with the prosecutor instead of taking the matter to trial. However, he told Somers that was "not necessary."
Instead, both Jones and Sapp denied legal counsel and said they would prefer to have the matter go to jury trial.
If a peace bond is set, it would require Jones to pay a sum of money to ensure that his actions will not incite violence. If he does, the bond would not be repaid to him and he would be subject to legal action.
Dearborn officials, including Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly in an open letter reported here on Patch, have expressed concern about public safety and Jones' security, as well as the expense and liability of Jones' controversial visit.
A couple dozen protesters were outside the court Thursday afternoon, as well as TV crews and state troopers.
Follow the proceedings here on Dearborn Patch, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
In This article
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19th District Court
16077 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI -
Islamic Center of America
19500 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI -
Daniel A. Smith
7:27 pm on Thursday, April 21, 2011
That is a bitchin' leather jacket. The Constitution and the law were specifically designed to protect this beacon of humanity. Class act all the way.
Hanan
10:11 pm on Thursday, April 21, 2011
I feel that Terry Jones isnt acting like a "pastor" should. He claims the muslims are following the wrong religion, but cant even follow his own. I don't remember Christianity telling their people to go against other religions? or act the way he is acting. But its ok, not all Christians agree with him. He might burn one Quran, but there are billions more left in the world for more people to follow. :)
Amin
12:15 pm on Friday, April 22, 2011
I think Jones is disrespecting not only Muslims but Christians as well by such an act. He is doing it in a holy day to Christians and he is claiming to be a Christian???? I don't think so...... People like him should be ashamed of themselves and should go back to read the Bible more often
Lee Jacobsen
4:39 pm on Friday, April 22, 2011
A peace bond would encourage Jones to keep the peace, and cover the clean-up costs of any rioting that may occur.
Staying away would be the smart move.
All religions have had their 'ups & downs'. The Inquisition was not a stellar moment for the Roman Catholic Church. It takes time to correct religious errors. How long did it take to un-condemn Copernicus the astronomer as a heretic for saying that the Earth was not the center of the solar system? May 23 will be the 'one-year' anniversary to correct this 500 plus year long mistake. They reburied him with the sacrements of the Church.
Discretions take time to correct. Other faiths need this time. Jones is just impatient. Give it a century or two to 'gel'.
mike
5:48 pm on Saturday, April 23, 2011
good grief political corectness well guess what jesus wan not poular except to some he was not politicly correct but he did as god comanded him now dearborn muslims claim they are peacefull then why the fear of backlash??? well we know why but wont admit it will we? peacefull as long as you agree with them and hate cristians>>>>> by the way when is it a crime before the crime?? how can you get arested and have bond before the act??? sound like a good lawsuit will come of this but its ok for them muslims to run of church folk passing out welcome pamphlits last year why just becouse it was a christian church and when can a churh muslim buy the way protest at a military funeral for sakes and that is leagel but not in good taste but ok and politicly correct>>>>>
L.M. Rugenski
1:40 am on Sunday, April 24, 2011
Dearborn, the US Constitution is the law. No life is worth being slaughtered over any material object, those that think otherwise need to grow up and realize, objects can be replicated by the masses where no life can be brought back; that is what i got out of reading the Bible where it says not to store your treasures where moth & dust can corrode them, instead gather from your mind and heart & know the difference.
Still a book is just a book, a material object and not a human life, burning a book is only used to either antagonize or get another's attention, the rest is the adults' responsibility what they do, kill, be killed or realize life is worth more than all the books ever written & high time everyone realizes this!
L.M. Rugenski
1:52 am on Sunday, April 24, 2011
it is highly offensive to us in America when people of different origins come to America with the intent of changing our constitution we live & swear by and has worked for hundreds of years...don't keep trying to fix what is working!