3 Springfield men, charged in arson of Macedonia Church of God, appear in court

[MrMidwest]

3 Springfield men, charged in arson of Macedonia Church of God, appear in court#1

Posted: 1/19/09 at 10:15am

SPRINGFIELD - Three men arrested in an arson that destroyed a predominantly black church in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood were acting in anger over the election of Barack Obama as president, according to a federal prosecutor.

The three men appeared in U.S. District Court late Friday afternoon, charged with violation of civil rights by means of conspiracy to "injure, oppress, threaten and intimidate the parishioners of the Macedonia Church of God in Christ, a predominantly African-American congregational church," according to the criminal complaint. They will be held without bail pending a hearing Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth P. Neiman, who heard initial arguments from attorneys for and against detention.

The three charged are Benjamin F. Haskell, 22; Michael F. Jacques, 24; and Thomas A. Gleason Jr., 21, all of Springfield. All are white, and no pleas were entered.
3 Springfield men, charged in arson of Macedonia Church of God, appear in court

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter