Slain in the Spirit Ruling

Michigan's highest court says a woman injured when she was "slain in the Spirit" is entitled to money from Mount Hope Church in Delta Township. A jury had awarded Judith Dadd more than $317,000. Dadd claimed pastor Dave Williams defamed her when he sent a letter to members accusing her of insurance fraud, faking her injuries and renouncing her faith. An appeals court had said she was entitled to money from the negligence claim ($40,000) but not $273,000 in damages for libel, slander and false light. However, the 5-2 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court reverses that decision.