An Idaho woman is facing felony charges for attacking a Jewish acquaintance, “stomping on the woman’s neck” as part of what police described as an attempt to convert her to Christianity.
Margurite Dawn Haragan, 58, was charged with two counts of malicious harassment, and a hate crime.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at [email protected].
Thank you.
According to the prosecution in the case, Haragan appeared at the victim’s home on February 5, although it is not clear whether or how well the two had known each other.
“The defendant was banging on the front window yelling at her that she better believe in Jesus and she was not going to leave until she did believe in Jesus, ” Ada County Prosecutor Dave Rothcheck stated.
According to Rothchec, the victim, identified in court only by her initials “A.G., ” made the mistake of opening the door, to try and ger Haragan to leave.
Apparently that whole Crusades thing has not left an impression on her, seeing as A.G. imagined she could reason with the zealot at her doorstep.
She opened the door and attempted to write down the unwanted visitor’s license plate number, when Haragan slapped her in the face and dragged her to the ground by the hair, according to the charges.
“The defendant began kicking the victim in the stomach and thigh area, ” Rothchec said. “During this time the defendant was screaming at the victim that she better accept Jesus or she would not let up.”
Haragan stepped on A.G.’s neck with hewr foot as she lay on the ground, while pulling on the victim’s hair.
Eventually, the victim agreed to accept Jesus, and Haragan let her go, Roscheck reported.
Just like during the crusades, but with fewer fatalities.
Except that Haragan returned two days later, carved the phrase “death bin bond” on her mailbox and shredded her mail.
After Haragan was arrested Wednesday night, and was brought to court Thursday, she told Judge John Hawley: “I am a sworn-in deputy of Ada County and I also give my oath that what I say is legal and binding.”
Of course, there is no record of her ever being employed by any police force in or out ofd the county, thank God.
The judge set the Haragan’s bond at $100, 000 and issued an order barring her from talking to or going near her alleged victim.
A preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 26.
