The ATF “solved” the St. Paul’s arson by determining that the deacon had accidentally set the fire himself—a judgment the deacon, the church itself and the NAACP hotly dispute. Investigators ignored important evidence, including that close by, the trailer home of a black family burned to the ground within a few days of the church fire, and that a white male was seen leaving the scene as the home burned.
The zealousness with which clergy and church members have been cross-examined by ATF officials fails to extend to rigorous investigation and pursuit of the actual criminals. Genuine inconsistency in the probe has been pointed out by the pastors—some of whom have never heard from investigators, even though they are eager to be interviewed to provide data about the crimes.
The pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Lee County, Arkansas, for example, told Freedom that while his church burned down on January 22, 1996, more than six months later he had yet to be visited or interviewed by any federal, state or local law enforcement officials.
By their actions at least, ATF agents have virtually accused members and leaders of certain churches of torching their own buildings. Any such allegation flies in the face of the position the individual church holds for its members and the sacrilege inherent in desecrating it.
A Fire on the Cross continued...
    
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