After Yelling Chants
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
WAUKESHA. Wis.
(AP) --
A 42-year-old woman who describes herself as a Wiccan faces charges of
disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after neighbors complained she was
disturbing them with chants around a bonfire she had built 10 feet from her
home.
Capt. Mike Babe said Brenna K. Barney of Waukesha told police they were
infringing on her religious beliefs since she was performing a ritual under
the new moon.
But Babe said that, in addition to the criminal charges filed Tuesday in
Waukesha County Circuit Court, police might also give Barney a ticket
alleging negligent handling of burning materials.
Neighbors called police shortly after midnight Tuesday and, after an
officer arrived, he heard the woman yelling in the backyard and found her
wearing headphones, a T-shirt and underwear, the captain said.
An officer tried to get her attention by shining a flashlight on her but
she continued yelling her chants, Babe said.
He said Barney at one point poured lighter fluid on the fire, in which
she was burning rubber car mats and a cooler. Barney refused to cooperate
with police and was belligerent, and her breath smelled of alcohol, Babe
added
Four officers were sent to the scene and arrested her, the captain added.
Wicca is a nature-based religion based on respect for the earth, nature
and the cycle of the seasons.
