South Carolina: Prayer Foe’s Parrot Beheaded

The other day I wrote about the abuse and harassment that Darla Wynne has had to endure because she challenged the city council's practice of opening its meeting with sectarian prayers. She won the court case, but the abuse continues.

The Lancaster News reports:

A parrot belonging to the Wiccan high priestess was beheaded and affixed with a note reading "You're next" at Wynne's home Wednesday. The 5-year-old bird, named "Little One," also had its heart ripped out, Wynne said. ... Police Chief Mike Revels said there are no suspects in the case, and his officers have yet to apprehend any of the culprits associated with a litany of disturbances to Wynne's property, some going back several years.

Since the lawsuit was filed nearly five years ago, the gas tank in Wynne's vehicle has been filled with sand, horses in her yard have been tortured and her dog was kicked so hard it went blind in one eye. ... The vandalism and pet abuse have, no doubt, been spurred on by the litigation between Wynne and the town, Revels said, but leads have been scarce. No other crimes around town appear to be committed in retaliation of Wynne's suit, he said.

Revels said his department is doing everything it can to protect Wynne, but it won't be stepping up security because the incidents don't appear to be widespread.

I think it’s rather suspicious that the local police department have been able to find even a single suspect in any of the incidents — and that they don’t intend to step up security or patrols. Are they incompetent or do they just not care? Either way, they are partially responsible for the fact that it obviously isn’t safe for Wiccans (and, presumably, anyone else who challenge the reigning religious orthodoxy of the area) to live there. Perhaps that is the point?

Wynn’s life has been threatened because of her lawsuit, there can be no question about that. If Police Chief Mike Revels doesn’t do something to provide here with extra protection, then he isn’t doing his job and should step down so that someone more qualified can take over.

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