Judge Issues Gag Order In Church Bell case MISSION - A dispute over the volume of church bells in Mission is now being heard in court. The city of Mission on Thursday charged the Rev. Roy Snipes with a class C misdemeanor for violating the citys new noise ordinance. Snipes entered a not-guilty plea. Gabriel Rodriguez lives near the church and took the priest to court to keep him from ringing the churchs bells. Rodriguez alleges that the bells are too loud and ring too often. Snipes arrived to a courtroom packed with his supporters. One member of the audience rang a cowbell before and after the proceeding. Six attorneys accompanied Snipes. Rodriguez sat alone at his table until the city attorney, who is prosecuting his case, arrived. After the arraignment, Snipes attorneys asked the judge to issue a gag order in the case. The city attorney did not oppose to the request. The judge issued the order and told the parties that they would be held in contempt if they spoke with the media about the case or made any disparaging remarks about each other. Snipes attorneys also asked for a protective order. The judge issued the order and prohibited Rodriguez getting within 50 feet of the church. One of Snipes supporters said he hopes the matter goes away. I hope that Father Roy doesnt get any kind of fine, for goshs sake! Newt Dyer said. A class C misdemeanor can lead to a maximum $500 fine. There is no jail time for the low-level charge. Snipes attorneys also filed a motion to dismiss the complaint in the case. The judge asked the city attorney to respond to the attorneys motion and set it for a hearing on Nov. 22.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 11:59:31 +0000