Black Metal Musicians Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison For Firing At Christian Building

August 18, 2003

Nick Schou of the Orange County Weekly is reporting that two members of a black metal rock band whose lyrics call for the murder of all Christians were sentenced to a total of 40 years in state prison for firing seven shots at a building from a moving car — without causing a single death or injury.

Because the target of the attack was an evangelical Christian drug rehabilitation center, the incident was labeled a bona-fide hate crime, which automatically doubled the prison sentence in question.

On Jan. 19, a drive-by shooting occurred outside Teen Challenge, a Christian drug rehabilitation clinic in downtown Santa Ana, California. A few weeks later, police arrested two suspects, special-education teacher Raymond Shipley (photo) and Benito Contreras, both 22-year-old members of a Riverside-area black metal band SOL EVIL. Defense attorneys for the men claimed their clients were drunk and simply trying to scare a mutual friend, a former band member sleeping in the building when the shots were fired.

A major piece of evidence against the two suspects was an interview posted on the band's web site. In that interview, SOL EVIL lead singer Shipley (who went by the stage name Lord Morder) stated that the band's cause was the destruction of Christianity. "We want to inspire people to murder ALL Christians!!!" Shipley stated. "All the members of our horde believe that Christianity must be destroyed."

The case against Shipley, and Contreras, ended July 31, when both defendants pleaded guilty to seven counts of shooting at Teen Challenge's office and dormitory. Thanks to the plea, Shipley, who drove the car, received a 15-year prison sentence. Contreras, who pulled the trigger, received a prison sentence of 25 years.

If that sounds like a lot of time behind bars, consider this: because they both pleaded guilty, Deputy District Attorney Jamie Coulter agreed to drop charges of attempted murder that could have sent each man to prison for life.

Coulter said he agreed to the deal because neither Shipley nor Conteras had ever been involved as defendants in the criminal justice system. "Because of their poor choices and actions, they are suffering severe consequences that have destroyed their lives," Coulter said. "But the bottom line is they are being held accountable and justice has been done." Read more.

(Source: Orange County Weekly)

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