CASE WATCH::Clergy: Cox used Bible to advocate for death penalty

The facts of the case are not my focus at present as there is some dispute in regards to Crawford's conviction; it is currently under appeal.  What is important, Cox's defense of his push for the death penalty, as Quigley notes, "He is there as a representative of our government. It is not the position of the government and has never been the position of the government that the Bible is the basis for killing people."

The ministers, bishops, rabbis, priests, other ordained clergy and religious leaders signed the brief to bring to the court's attention two instances in which they say Cox wrongfully used the Bible as the state's justification to execute Crawford.

The first arose during Cox's cross-examination of the Rev. John Dent Sr. during the penalty phase of the trial. The defense had called Dent to the stand to speak as a character witness, the brief which will be filed with the Louisiana Supreme Court, says.

Under cross examination, Cox asked the pastor if he agreed that scripture attributed to Jesus Christ means "an earthly life would be terminated for harming a child." Dent did not agree with Cox's interpretation, the brief says.

In a second instance, Cox quoted the scripture again at the end of the penalty phase of the trial when the jury is asked to decide between life in prison or death.

"He (Jesus Christ) said, to the adult, who would harm one of these, 'one of these' referring to small children, Woe be unto you, who would harm on of these,'" the brief quotes Cox as saying. "Now, this is the Jesus Christ of the New Testament. 'It would be better if though you were never born. You shall have a millstone cast around your neck and you will be thrown into the sea.'"
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But as an agent of the state, Cox erred when he used religion as a means to try to kill Crawford and used the Bible in a way that's at odds with Christian religious traditions, Quigley said. It was a dangerous breach in the wall between church and state, he said.

"He is there as a representative of our government," Quigley said. "It is not the position of the government and has never been the position of the government that the Bible is the basis for killing people."

If the Louisiana Supreme Court approves of Cox's conduct, Quigley said the next step is to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

What is distressing, this gentleman appears to have quite the history, "Dale Cox, the acting District Attorney of Caddo Parish, the county seat of Shreveport, Louisiana is so extreme, so racist, so absurd, so violent, that some of his professional colleagues are seriously asking if he has a brain tumor. Although Cox will not run for the office in the upcoming election.

Clergy: Cox used Bible to advocate for death penalty