Pastor Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A judge in Louisiana has rejected a motion filed by controversial Pastor Tony Spell to quash six misdemeanor charges filed against him for holding church services in violation of the state’s pandemic restrictions. Judge Eboni Johnson-Rose of Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court denied Spell’s motion Monday, ruling that the constitutionality of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ orders aimed at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus has already been confirmed by courts. Spell, the leader of Life Tabernacle Church in Central who made national headlines last year by holding large in-person worship gatherings in defiance of Bell’s pandemic measures, had argued that government limits on gatherings at the church violated the congregation’s First Amendment rights. Spell did not attend the hearing because he has refused to wear a face mask inside the courthouse. Instead, Spell along with members of his church were present outside the courthouse. Spell expressed his disapproval of the ruling. “You just ruled against God,” the Pentecostal pastor said, according to WVLA-TV . “Get ready for the judgment of God.” Spell could face up to $3,000 in fines and jail time if convicted of the charges. According […]
