Street preacher Flip Benham allowed to remain on bond

Flip Benham accused of breaking court orders after conviction for stalking last year

by Matt Comer  Editor  editor@goqnotes.com
Published: August 10, 2012 in News

Originally published: Aug. 9, 2012, 8:55 p.m.
Updated: Aug. 10, 2012, 1:35 p.m.

CHARLOTTE — Anti-gay street preacher Flip Benham of the Concord, N.C.-based Operation Save America, convicted of stalking an abortion doctor last July, will be allowed to remain on bond after a judge ruled Friday afternoon that Benham did not violate any written orders releasing him from custody while his trial is on appeal.

Rev. Flip Benham, Operation Save America leader, seen at a protest. Photo Credit: Mark Lyon, via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Mecklenburg County prosecutor Kristen Northrup had argued that Benham violated his bond order by publishing and distributing any posters with the face and name of the abortion doctor Benham was convicted of stalking through the use of “Wanted”-style posters.

Superior Court Judge Joseph E. Turner had said after the original conviction that Benham could not distribute “Wanted” or other posters. Though ordered verbally in court, that specific order was not included in written orders provided to Benham, defense attorney David Redding told the judge. Redding’s motion to dismiss the bond hearing was upheld after over an hour of witness testimony.

more: Stay tuned to goqnotes.com for more on this story, including Benham’s plans now that he is free to remain on bond.

Matt Comer is the editor of QNotes, first hired to serve in the role in October 2007. He can be reached via email at editor@goqnotes.com or via phone at 704-531-9988, ext. 202. Follow him online at facebook.com/matthew.mh.comer or at twitter.com/interstateq.

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