High Court to Decide if Knoxville, TN Pastor Caused Girl's Death

Black Collar Crime

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The state's highest court will decide if a Loudon County pastor can be held responsible for the death of a teenage follower who died from cancer after relying on spiritual healing.

Last year, the state appeals court reinstated indictments against Jacqueline Crank, the teen's mother, and alleged cult leader Ariel Ben Sherman.

Crank and Sherman relied on spiritual healing instead of doctors for a tumor on 15-year-old Jessica Crank's shoulder. After she died in 2002, they were charged with child neglect.

Lower courts dismissed the charges, citing a loophole in the law affecting the mother and ruling the pastor had no legal ties to the girl.

More:
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=57846

For them, prosecuting ANYONE in this case would be an example of evil atheist suppression of religious beliefs.

I wonder if any of them will weigh in on this thread.