Display of Bibles Disrupts Trial of 5 Abortion Foes

The trial of five anti-abortion demonstrators accused of trespassing and conspiracy flared into a dispute Wednesday over whether the defendants can display their Bibles before prospective jurors.

In a rare flash of anger, Los Angeles Municipal Judge Richard A. Paez warned the defendants and their attorneys that he would instruct the court bailiff to confiscate the Bibles if they continued to openly consult or wave them during jury selection.

“I don’t want them in view of the jurors,” Paez said sternly, raising his voice and motioning with his hand. “Don’t give me a hard time.”

Blockade of Clinic

Randall Terry, who heads a fundamentalist anti-abortion organization, and four others face trial on charges stemming from the blockade of a women’s clinic in Los Angeles on March 25. They and one defense attorney, Cyrus Zal, have kept Bibles on the counsel table since proceedings began Monday.

Deputy City Atty. Lara Bloomquist, who is prosecuting the case, objected to what she described as a ploy that occurred in the questioning of a potential juror who was talking about her religious beliefs. At that “strategic” moment, Bloomquist said, Zal opened and began reading from his brown leather Bible in an obvious and deliberate attempt to influence the juror.

“I don’t want this made a thing of the Christians against the heathens,” she said later.

Paez, who has said he is determined to prevent the trial from being used as a platform to debate the moral and political issues surrounding abortion, ordered Zal and the defendants to refrain from displaying their Bibles prominently to the jury box. He had given similar instructions the day before.

But Zal refused, challenging the judge to go ahead and hold him in contempt.

Co-defendant Michael McMonagle leaped to his feet, asking that the prosecutor be removed from the case.

“She is obviously an anti-Christian bigot!” he said loudly.

Tensions escalated until Paez recessed for lunch.

The showdown between judge and defense attorney was averted, however, when Zal did not return for the afternoon session, saying he had to attend another trial in federal court.

A calmer Paez told the defendants that, while they may keep the Bibles on the counsel table, they must not attempt to “affirmatively communicate” their religious beliefs to potential jurors who are being questioned.

“I don’t have a problem with the Bible. I don’t care if you have it there (on the table),” Paez said. “My concern is I do not want any attempt to sway the jury. I don’t want demonstrative gestures. . . . That is not proper.”

Paez said, on the other hand, that he would consider permitting the defendants, some of whom are representing themselves, to quote from the Bible during closing arguments or to carry the book to the witness stand when they testify.

Terry protested that his constitutional rights were being violated.