This week saw the conviction of four pro-life Christians for violating the Face Act. The prosecution brought the charges against them for a nonviolent demonstration that took place at an abortion clinic in Tennessee.
Eva Edl, James Zastrow, Eva Zastrow, and Paul Place are the four people found guilty. Upon sentencing, they might spend as much as six months behind bars and pay thousands of dollars in penalties. They currently have a scheduled sentencing date of July 30.
The defendants’ fate rested with Middle District of Tennessee Judge Chip Frensly, who rendered the verdict following a one-day bench trial. Frensly judged the pro-lifers guilty and concurred with the Justice Department’s accusations that they had broken the law.
The judge took less than thirty minutes to deliberate. Following the verdicts, the accused individuals, together with their relatives, gathered outdoors to pray and sing.
Amanda Klopf, the prosecuting attorney for the DOJ, stated that the four had participated in criminal action rather than a protest and that the case concerned the application of the law. Attorney Kyle Boynton stated that the four were “not on trial for their beliefs,” but rather for their deeds, during the DOJ’s closing remarks.
The defendants’ attorneys claimed that their clients were only peacefully observing their beliefs. Place’s attorneys said that the trial showed the federal government’s extreme overreach and that the Biden administration was bringing charges against “people who were simply expressing their ideas in a non-violent fashion.” According to Edl’s attorney, the group’s purpose was to “pray, sing, and praise” in order to discourage women from having abortions.
Attorneys filed charges against the four on March 5, 2021, following their participation in a nonviolent pro-life demonstration at the Carafem abortion clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. That day, protesters congregated in the corridor outside Carafem on the second floor of an office building. The group encouraged ladies who showed up to the clinic to forgo abortions while praying and singing hymns. The federal courtroom in Nashville, known as Fred Thompson, was the venue for the trial.
Pictures of the four sitting in front of the carafem door were shown throughout the trial, but their attorneys contended that the DOJ never provided evidence that they had really prevented anybody from entering or interfered with the facility’s employees’ ability to do their jobs.
The following people gave testimony: a former employee of Carafem; a police officer from Mt. Juliet who processed pro-lifers arrested, a woman who had an appointment at the location the morning of the trial, and Caroline Davis, who was one of the people arrested at the protest before accepting a plea deal and consenting to testify on behalf of the government.
Davis, who maintained that her involvement had resulted in a “huge shift in perspective and views,” was a major element of the DOJ’s case.
Dozens of people cheering for the defendants filled the gallery of the courtroom. Before the trial on Tuesday morning, a number of devoted followers and relatives convened to offer prayers and sing spiritual favorites such as “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”
Before the trial started, Edl, an Eastern European who escaped a Communist concentration camp as a child, made a brief statement, stating, “Whatever happens, we are in the Lord’s hands.”
In January, a court found six more protest participants guilty of violating the FACE Act and conspiring to violate civil rights. They risk more than ten years in jail, as well as penalties totaling hundreds of thousands.
I’m curious, when will the be-headings begin for our faith?
What a testimony to criminal defiance of Article I of our Constitution!!! And to morality – the moral basis of “Law”. In order to have respect and provide its purpose, LAW must be followed carefully and NOT be used arbitrarily in promotion of some current political affection. It is critical that judges hold their courts to the highest standards of LAW and not bend to current political waves. In this matter, these people were PEACEFULLY expressing their beliefs which they are entitled to do in spite of the barbarians in the DOJ dictating otherwise.
I agree but lets not forget who the DOJ==” Department of Jerks” takes its orders from, the ” Dictator-in-Chief” and traitor biden. Small b because of no respect for him.
Thank you for letting me, and the world know of satan at work in the court house, and in Thompsons court house no less. You are added to our prayer list and communion, every day to have these cases brought to the higher court for the benefit of you who stand FOR CHRIST AND WITH HIM.
AMEN Daniel J. Kirk sr… I stand with you on all you said. Thank you so much for your service to your country and upholding the constitution. Again thank you. NavVet disabled Naval Air Vietnam
Sooooo, everyone can protest and tear up the whole community, but if you are a Christian, you can’t protest peacefully?!! SUCH HIPOCRACY!!!! This is completely illegal, and the judges who are getting away with this ought to be the ones put in jail!!
#1. What is the face act and how did it become law?
#2. It appears Tennesseans need to vote these people outta office. Not sure but I assume this judge was voted in to his position.
Should have requested a jury trial which I think every one is in titled too.
Looks like Tennessee is losing its way.
Denny to answer your first question it became law by the stroke of a pen held by the Dictator-in-Chief biden who has no respect for the constitution, his oath of office, we the people and the lives of children.
Second Yes hey should be voted out IF they where voted in. If not congress should be steeping up as well as the SCOTUS. It is past time these law breakers are held accountable.
Yes by law a trial by jury is a right by the constitutional by law. That is why they did not get one.
SATAN BIDEN
ANTICHRIST OHOMO
ENOUGH SAID!!!!
What I find insane, is those that think Trump would become a dictator. He moved the Embassy that was promised by 8 other Presidents before him; and backed our world and religious Allies. This is crazy Government Gestapo style over-reach by the President, the DOJ and this judge; and they say that Trump is a Nazi?
Of course, they are putting Trump through the same illegal and political wringer. We MUST put a stop to this nonsense… our last chance is this November.
That asshole judge needs to be removed! Trump will just add these 4 to his list of first week pardons, which will begin with the Jan 6 political prisoners.
God and his bible tell us to speak the truth, spread the gospel and tell people about their sins and ways to repent. The Judge and DOJ will be answering to a lot before the throne of God and all his Saints they have wronged. We need not fear but trust God and the DOJ is out of line because we still have freedom of speech which includes singing of hymns etc. As well as peaceable assembly. Be careful because God knows each perverted Judge and person who attempt to harm his people
What a horrible story. I would believe this could happen in Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia & other despotic regimes, but in the United States? We truly are on the way to becoming a slave nation if we don’t get the leftist loons out of political offices & out of the court system. BLM & Antifa riot, loot, commit arson by burning down federal office buildings & police stations in Minneapolis, Seattle & Portland, take residents & businesses in the Downtowns as hostages & the bottom-feeders on the left call them “Peaceful protests.” Anti-abortion advocates are peaceful & wind up being imprisoned. It’s barbaric & we must take a stand against the leftist mobs.
Frensly can GTH in a handbasket for HIS criminal act. The truth is that women have the ability to use birth control but don’t thus THEY are irresponsible. The ONLY reasons for an abortion should be rape or incest.