I've been sharing excerpts from Rest Thy Head, but I decided to do something different today, so the excerpt is from The Sentence. This is the opening of the book, and it's as good as a blurb to tell you what the story is about. The book is available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Sentence-Elaine-Cantrell-ebook/dp/B007ND7F8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432350288&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sentence+by+elaine+cantrell and most other online retailers or at your local bookstore.
The Sterling Daily
October 10
Upstate Edition
Judge Shocks Community
By Thomas Bell Controversial Judge Marion
Lowe shocked every person in his packed
Staff Writer court last Wednesday
when he passed sentence in the Clint Hayes case. Hayes, 27, who works for Bud Parsons at Bud’s
Private Club, was found guilty of burning Saved By Grace Community Church last
April.
Originally, Hayes was arrested for arson. His fingerprints were found on a beer bottle
in the church parking lot the night the church burned, but a sheriff’s
investigation revealed the fire was caused by a cigarette that Hayes threw into
an azalea bed. Authorities believe the
cigarette caused the dry mulch around the bushes to catch fire, and the flames
spread to the church. The building was a
total loss.
After consultation with Reverend Neal Amos, the pastor of
Saved By Grace, Judge Lowe sentenced Hayes to six months in the care of
Reverend Amos who in effect will be his jailor.
“The verdict was a surprise,” admitted Rachel Amos, 24, the
minister’s daughter. “My father
discussed the situation with my mother and me, but to be honest we never
dreamed the judge would go along with it.”
Several members of Saved By Grace have expressed their
support for Reverend Amos’ decision, but they admit there are some who want
nothing to do with Hayes.
Local civil rights groups have announced their intention to
get the verdict overthrown, but so far Hayes says he wants the sentence to
stand.
Until the new church is constructed, Saved By Grace is
meeting at Sterling High School. Sunday
School is at ten o’clock followed by worship at eleven. Anyone wishing to make a donation to Saved By
Grace’s building fund may do so at People’s National Bank.
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