OSA
Bible
The Streets
Press Releases
Newsletters
Articles
Legal
Links
Home

Our Purpose
Our Director
Support Us
Contact Us

email OSA
Web problems or suggestions?

 

Victory in the Pittsburgh Courts

 

 Victory in the Pittsburgh Courts

This is great news from our friend Joseph Parente in Pittsburg, PA! God bless you, guys! Keep shining! - Flip

Dear Friends,

Some of you may remember that I was cited with harassment for sidewalk counseling outside of Planned Parenthood/Women's Health Services at 221 Fifth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh on August 3rd of last year. The citing officer was Bryan Sellers, the very same officer who arrested Pastor Keith Tucci in November of 2001.

I was found guilty in magistrates court by a judge who not only refused to hear the facts of the case, but openly mocked "God's work". I appealed the ruling, and Monday, February 10th, I was found not guilty by the Honorable Judge Gallo!

I spent the early morning hours before the hearing in prayer and worship. I humbled myself before the Lord and asked Him to take control of the situation and that His name would be glorified, and it was!

The district attorney and Mr. Sellers made their case, once again calling no witnesses, naming no victims, only stating that I had harassed people by continuing to speak to them after they "said no". As he did in magistrates court he pitted his word against mine. He also perjured himself on the stand by answering the judge that he has warned me at least twice that morning when the citation came completely out of the blue.

I simply stated in defense that my actions were protected by the Constitution and that the burden of proof was on the officer. I barley spoke the words and the judge threw out the case. He found me not guilty on the basis of the officer providing no proof of inappropriate behavior.

Not only was I acquitted on the charges, but on the way out of the court room two different gentlemen encouraged me and told me that they we're born-again Christians and that they we're praying for me the whole time!

I left the courtroom in tears of joy because I was so grateful to God for His faithfulness and His goodness to me. I sang praise to Jesus the whole way to the car because I couldn't contain the excitement in my heart. King Jesus won another victory in our city!

I have also been in contact with our case worker from the Citizen's Police Review Board who has been pursuing our complaint against Officer William Hohos for his continued harassment and enforcement of laws that don't exist, and with Lt. Jeff Hamilton on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh Police Bureau Internal Affairs Department. Both plan to be present this Saturday morning outside of the killing center at 933 Liberty Avenue. We have asked that Officer Hohos be reprimanded, removed from the death center detail, and undergo retraining. Things are heating up!

Officer Sellers is also named in a lawsuit stemming from Pastor Keith's arrest.

"The LORD is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands." Psalms 9:16

He has not allowed wicked men to stand victorious, he has brought them low by their own doing. The officers of the law who have perverted justice and hindered the rescue of innocent children may now face some small judgment by the hand of men, how great will the judgment of God be against the unrepentant?

"When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." 21:15

I believe that the fear of God is being returned to the hearts of those sworn to uphold justice, and I pray that there will not be officers willing to profit from the shedding of innocent blood in a short time.

Please continue to pray for us. This is only the beginning. Pastor Keith needs your prayers as he prepares for his appeal, we need your prayers as we continue to minister on the streets and to the churches in our area. The church here is still asleep, and until it rises and runs to the fray we will not win.

Take joy in righteousness!

Joseph Parente
Rescue Pittsburgh