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Court Accepts Plea Deal With "Resurrection Clause" In It

By Howard M. Friedman

Yesterday's Baltimore Sun reports on an odd plea agreement entered by 22-year old Ria Ramkissoon, a member of a religious cult called 1 Mind Ministries. The cult's leader, Queen Antoinette, is accused of ordering cult members, including Ramkissoon, to withhold food and water from Ramkissoon's 2-year old son, Javon. This led to Javon's death. Antoinette believed that Javon was a demon because he did not say Amen after he was fed. Under her plea agreement, in exchange for testifying against other cult members Ramkissoon's 20 year sentence will be reduced to time already served plus 5 years' probation (plus two 8-hour deprogramming sessions). The unusual added clause however is one that provides charges will be dropped if Javon is resurrected-- as the Ramkissoon believes he will. Prosecutors say the clause stipulates a "Jesus-like resurrection, which is distinguished from a reincarnation" as an animal or object.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on April 01, 2009 (boomark / email).