A Louisiana pastor charged with second-degree battery says he acted to protect his family after a neighbor allegedly threatened to rape his wife, kill his grandchildren, and attack his loved ones.
Tony Spell, 48, pastor of Life Tabernacle Church in Central, was arrested following a confrontation with a 20-year-old neighbor that left the younger man with serious facial injuries. Spell was released from jail Tuesday after posting bond and defended his actions during a Wednesday news conference surrounded by members of his congregation.
According to Spell, the confrontation came after the neighbor allegedly made explicit threats against his family.
“He said, ‘Tony, I’m going to rape your wife, I’m going to rape all your grandchildren, and the next time you go out of town I’m going to kill them,'” Spell told reporters.
Spell said he believed he had an obligation to respond.
“I have a duty and obligation to do what I did,” he said.
The pastor said his responsibilities as a husband, father, and church leader left him unwilling to ignore what he described as a direct threat.
“Number one, I’m a husband, number two, I’m a father, and number three, I’m a pastor who shepherds his flock,” Spell said. “I will not allow a man to murder my children when I’m gone.”
Police say surveillance video showed fight
Authorities charged Spell with second-degree battery after reviewing surveillance footage of the incident.
According to an arrest affidavit cited by KLFY, the confrontation began after the alleged victim yelled an obscenity at Spell. Investigators allege Spell punched the man eight times before he fell to the ground, then continued striking him while twisting his neck and shouting, “I’m going to break your neck!”
Police said the alleged victim suffered a broken bone beneath his eye socket and required stitches under his chin.
WBRZ reported that surveillance footage appeared to show Spell crossing Hooper Road before the encounter turned physical.
Neighbor’s family rejects pastor’s account
The Sherwin family strongly disputed Spell’s version of events, telling WBRZ they do not believe their son made the threats the pastor described.
“The pastor is a bully who gets mad when he does not get his way,” the family said.
Spell, however, argued the conflict predates the latest confrontation. He claimed church members have dealt with intimidation from neighbors across the street for years.
“[Church members] are constantly stalked by these individuals across the street,” Spell said. “They are constantly intimidated with threats of bodily harm.”
Attorney blames ongoing neighborhood dispute
Spell’s attorney, Jeffery Wittenbrink, said the confrontation was the culmination of years of tensions that he believes were not adequately addressed by law enforcement.
“These folks have been pressing this and trying to instigate some kind of problem here at the church for years,” Wittenbrink said. “Every man has his limits and it’s sad when you get pushed to that point.”
Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran disputed those claims.
According to WAFB, Corcoran said police records show only five incidents involving Spell or his wife over the past four years, with just one involving the neighboring family.
Pastor jokes about incident from the pulpit
After his release from jail, Spell addressed the case during a church service, drawing laughter and applause from members of the congregation with a biblical reference.
“In my name, they shall lay hands on the sick. And they shall recover. So today, I fulfilled the scripture. I laid hands on the sick,” Spell said.
Spell is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15.
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