Phoenix PD arrest pastor "swat style" for bible study.

[divaskychick]

I think he is, without a doubt, a wacko. I was commenting on the media, not the man. Sorry to be unclear.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by desertskies

City of Phoenix put out a fact sheet concerning the case against Mr Salman.
If anything, it's a good read.

Official Site of the City of Phoenix - Fact Sheet Regarding the Michael Salman Case

I'm glad I started this thread, it certainly started a good conversation that's pointed out many things to think about.
As with any statement of fact you have to keep the writer's intent or goal in mind. When the city/police/district attorney write a "statement of fact" they fully intend to make themselves look like a white knight riding in to save the day from a fire breathing dragon. They'd never in a million years admit any wrongdoing or deficiencies on their part.
As for the pastor and his attorney, the same applies.
I tend to think the truth lands somewhere in the middle.

The questions I've been thinking about are;
1. If he was not a felon would he have gotten the sentence or attention he got from the city? It would be interesting to look at what's happened historically in situations such as this as I'm sure he's not the first.

2. If he were not a pastor would he have gotten any attention from the news, spinning it as persecution?
3. I still think the sentence was a bit harsh, especially the judge ignoring what the D.A. suggested, what would have been "fair" given the offense.