|
Raccoon parts left on doorsteps in Salem
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2007]
SALEM, Mass.
(AP) -- A self-proclaimed high priestess of Salem witches and a second person were accused of tossing raccoon parts on the doorsteps of businesses, allegedly as part of a Wiccan community feud.
|
|
 Sharon Graham, 46, and a fellow Wiccan, Frederick Purtz, 22, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of littering and malicious destruction of property. Graham also was charged with intimidating a witness.
They were accused of putting a racoon head and entrails on the doorsteps of Angelica of the Angels and the Goddess' Treasure Chest in May.
The historic seaport, famous for holding witch trials in the 17th century, has an active Wiccan community and thriving witch-related tourism.
Lawyers for Graham and Purtz said the charges were "sensationalized" and argued that the malicious destruction charge wasn't valid because the storefronts weren't permanently damaged.
A witness, Richard Watson, told police he accompanied Graham, Purtz and other people when they put the raccoon remains on the doorsteps. He said Graham hoped to frame a Wiccan businessman who had fired Graham from a psychic telephone business last spring.
[to top of second column]
 |
 Watson also said Graham had a disagreement with the owners of the two targeted businesses over proposed regulations that would limit the number of psychics who come to the city during the Halloween season. He said he was told the group had found the raccoon dead.
David Gavegnano, a lawyer for Graham, and Sean Wynne, a lawyer for Purtz, did not immediately return calls Thursday seeking further comment.
Wynne told The Boston Herald said there were likely "internal issues within the Wiccan community," but the tossing of raccoon entrails may be a "bastardization" of Wiccan practice because the religion doesn't condone harming others.
[Associated Press]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed. |
