Supreme Court Rejects Exorcism Appeal

The Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of an exorcism gone wrong. Laura Schubert Pearson sued the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God in Colleyville, Texas after members held her down and made two attempts to exorcise demons from her. Pearson claims the 1996 event amounted to assault and false imprisonment, leading her to attempt suicide.

A divided Texas Supreme Court had tossed the case out, ruling that the church was protected by the First Amendment because the case involved religious conduct. Pearson then appealed to the US Supreme Court.

Since the suit was filed the congregation has merged with another Colleyville church.

Exorcism Protected in Texas

A Texas church is off the hook for an exorcism it performed on a teenager. Members of the Pleasant Glade Assembly in Fort Worth held down Laura Schubert for hours during her exorcism six years ago. The 17-year-old sued and a jury awarded her $300,000. An Appeals Court reduced the fine but now the Texas Supreme Court has thrown the jury verdict out. The justices say the court was unconstitutionally entangled the court in religious. The Austin American-Statesman says Schubert claims she was injured during the encounter, experiencing hallucination and eventually attempting suicide.