Woman Arrested for Yelling Witch Chants

while i dont doubt this happened i get the feeling the newspaper that published it is bais towards pagans TMJ4 news network in Wilk... anyone elses views?

WAUKESHA - A Waukesha woman was arrested early Tuesday morning for disturbing neighbors by yelling witch chants around a bonfire she built 10-feet from her home, police Capt. Mike Babe said.Brenna K. Barney, 42, told police that they were infringing on her religious beliefs since she is a Wiccan and she was performing a ritual because of a new moon, Babe said. She said her name is Brenna Raven Moonfire.Criminal charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct were filed against Barney in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Police may also give Barney a ticket alleging negligent handling of burning materials, Babe said. Neighbors in the 2300 block of Madison St. called police at 12:11 a.m., Babe said.
When an officer arrived, he heard the woman yelling in the backyard and found her wearing headphones, a T-shirt and underwear, Babe said. The officer tried to get her attention by shining a flashlight on her but she continued yelling her chants.
At one point she poured lighter fluid on the fire, which was 10-feet from her residence, he said. She was burning rubber car mats and a cooler, Babe said.
When the officer was able to get the woman's attention she refused to cooperate telling the officer she was performing a religious ritual. She continued to be belligerent and the officer could smell alcohol on the woman's breath, Babe said.
Four officers responded to the scene and were able to take the woman into custody. She was first taken to Waukesha Memorial Hospital where she continued to yell and swear at officers and hospital staff, Babe said.After she was medically cleared, she was taken to jail.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lobita on June 25, 2008 at 7:28pm: Great sum up, Peter! It amazes me how people like to cloak their bad behaviour with their spiritual beliefs and expect a pass.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joanna Marie on June 25, 2008 at 5:12pm: Wow. Hurray for spokespeople like her. No wonder the general population has a negative view of Wiccans.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Raven Shadow Hawk on June 25, 2008 at 7:47pm: *Glazed Stare*....*Blink*....*Mouth Hanging Open*....*Blink*....*Shakes Head*....

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.....ok... I have nothing to add, except.... *Blink Blink* Wow. Sad.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dreamytr on June 25, 2008 at 8:39pm: Ok, she sounds a little crazy to me. How are you suppose to do a ritual while you're drunk?? And wearing headphones, tshirt and panties, and hollerin...that's weird. She could have done better but then again...maybe not. Poor soul.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TygrzByte on July 7, 2008 at 6:33pm: There was a story similar to this a year or so ago that was almost exactly the same. The difference's were that she was also burning tires and she wasn't chanting as her neighbors that called the police thought, she was listening to Inkubus Sukkubs on her Ipod and didn't realise how loudly she was "singing". In that situation she was upset because she was trying to explain to the police that she WASN"T preforming a ritual, but just had too much to drink and didn't realize she'd been that loud. I think it may be the same story just told from a different bias. Not that the one I read is all that much better.; ▶ Reply to This