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Florida trial Judge Peter Adrien has ruled that a satanist on trial for allegedly killing and dismembering another man,then eating portions of the body,may wear his full religious regalia when he defends himself in court.The prosecutor in the case,Assistant State Attorney Herbert E. Walker III,told WND the motion was brought by Lazaro Galindo,who is on trial for the 2000 death of Argelio Gonzalez.Walker said he did not object to the request,because Galindo cited recent decisions that have allowed Islam into U.S.courtrooms for Muslim faithful,and he didn't want to set up a circumstance that could result in grounds for an appeal if Galindo is convicted."His argument was that if Muslims have a constitutional right for their religious beliefs to be recognized by the government, then he does,"Walker told WND.Walker told WND it was the first time he's ever heard that a defendant will be allowed to wear satanic garb,and carry the satanic bible,during a murder trial.Police said Galindo,19 at the time of his arrest,was taken into custody for the 2000 death of Gonzalez,44, whose body was discovered in an open field next to an apartment complex in Miami's Brownsville neighborhood.Authorities said children had found a human leg on the ground near two garbage cans,and the remaining parts of the body were found in the trash cans.The cause of death was stab wounds and blunt trauma before dismemberment,police said."Our belief is that the suspect tried to hide the body thinking it wouldn't be discovered or identified,"Pat Brinkman,a spokesman for the Miami-Dade police department,said at the time.
Authorities said the defendant had a girlfriend,who allegedly cheated on him with Gonzalez. So Galindo is accused dismembering him,eating portions of the body and disposing of the rest in the field and garbage bins.Walker couldn't speculate on what impact it might have on a jury to have a defendant,who is representing himself,question witnesses while wearing a pentagram and special hat and clothing that would be considered appropriate for satanists.Black robes,not dissimilar from a judge's robe,are part of the satanic dress,according to information from the Church of Satan website."He'll have an opportunity to question the jury directly whether they feel a bias against him or not,"he said.The trial is scheduled to begin in Florida's 11th Judicial District Circuit Court in Miami on Aug. 6."He said if Muslims who are accused of blowing up the World Trade Center,if they get to bring the Quran,their beads,and wear Islamic garb in court, and I'm not blowing up anyone,why shouldn't I wear religious clothing?"Walker said.The prosecutor said Galindo told the judge he held as deep-seated a faith in satan as Muslims do in Allah.WND reported earlier this year about a dispute that ended up authorizing the use of the Quran in court.The North Carolina case was resolved when Judge Paul Ridgeway concluded any religious text is all right for witnesses and jurors to use to be sworn in by.The case had been brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of several Muslims.However,the JihadWatch website,questioned the decision."How can we be sure he will be telling the truth if he swears on the Quran?The Quran tells Muslims that they may utter unbelief if 'under compulsion,'"the website said,citing Quran,verse 16:106:"Any one who,after accepting faith in Allah,utters Unbelief-except under compulsion,his heart remaining firm in Faith-but such as open their breast to Unbelief,on them is Wrath from Allah,and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty." http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56879
As in the days of Noah...
