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This is the rough scripts from the 11PM Nightly News. Note: the
court hearing lasted until shortly after 9 PM EST.
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/begin quote
New since six: A battle in a Pinellas county courtroom over
freedom of speech. The church of scientology is asking for a
judge to keep one man away from their members. The man is from
new England.... And has been arrested in Clearwater during his
protests against scientology. Here's Newschannel 8's jeff
patterson.
------------------------------ You're looking at one small segment from hours of video tape. The man holding the sign is bob minton.... A millionaire from new England. Minton is a devoted protester of anything having to do with the church of scientology. The man shouting in minton's face is a sceintologist. Minton has carried his personal crusade of protests to Clearwater. The world headquarters of scientology.
Minton says because of his protests church members constantly harass him. --- 'They've picketed my homes in Boston and new Hampshire. They've leafleted the neighborhood. They've told people I'm leading kkk style demonstrations against a peaceful religion.' --- But some of the confrontational protests have been anything but peaceful. Minton admitted in court today he has fired a shotgun to frighten sceintologists who came to his property. And on two occasions... He hit scientology members.
((Shows man being hit by sign)) Both sides video tape each other constantly. Scintologists say this video shows minton hitting one of their members. Minton says he was only turning around to call police because he had been followed all day ---'You know I was getting a little frustrated by having this camera put in my face.'--- Because of this the church of scientology is now asking a judge to keep minton away. ---'We just want to be allowed to go ahead and conduct our business and conduct the worship procedure and just live our lives.'--- Standup ------------ Judge Thomas penick says he will rule on the case next Thursday.
Bob minton declined to talk about the case tonight until the judge makes his decision.
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