(The Center Square) — The Louisiana Supreme Court has dismissed criminal charges against a pastor who defied Gov. John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus restrictions in 2020.
The high court’s 5-2 ruling found the governor’s executive orders limiting gatherings, first to 50 people then to 10, violated Rev. Tony Spell’s religious freedoms.
Spell drew national attention when he was arrested for ignoring Edwards’ COVID-19 edicts to hold Sunday service at his Life Tabernacle Church, where more than 1,200 people reportedly attended.
"Pandemic or not, this court cannot look the other way when the state infringes upon a citizen’s fundamental right to exercise his religion," the justices wrote in the decision released Friday, quoting Article I of the state constitution: "All government originates with the people, is founded on their will alone and is instituted to protect the rights of the individual and for the good of the whole."
Rest of the story here , Louisiana Supreme Court dismisses criminal charges against pastor for defying COVID-19 restrictions
The high court’s 5-2 ruling found the governor’s executive orders limiting gatherings, first to 50 people then to 10, violated Rev. Tony Spell’s religious freedoms.
Spell drew national attention when he was arrested for ignoring Edwards’ COVID-19 edicts to hold Sunday service at his Life Tabernacle Church, where more than 1,200 people reportedly attended.
"Pandemic or not, this court cannot look the other way when the state infringes upon a citizen’s fundamental right to exercise his religion," the justices wrote in the decision released Friday, quoting Article I of the state constitution: "All government originates with the people, is founded on their will alone and is instituted to protect the rights of the individual and for the good of the whole."
Rest of the story here , Louisiana Supreme Court dismisses criminal charges against pastor for defying COVID-19 restrictions