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Murder Trial of Cult Members Under Way In Baltimore

By Howard M. Friedman

The Baltimore Sun in two articles is reporting on the murder trial of a religious cult leader who convinced another cult member to starve her 16-month old child to death because he was likely possessed by an evil spirit. Two other cult members are also on trial for their parts in the death. The three defendants have refused lawyers and are representing themselves. Toni Sloan (also known as Queen Antoinette), the leader of 1 Mind Ministries, convinced Ria Ramkissoon that her son Javon should be deprived of food when he refused to answer "amen" after a prayer. Ramkisson believed that her own mother and stepfather had offered Javon up to the devil. Ramkissoon is not a defendant in this trial. She has already plead guilty to child abuse resulting in death. She will likely receive a 20-year suspended sentence, inpatient counseling and five years' probation. Her sentencing has been postponed pending her testimony in the current trial that opened on Monday.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on February 25, 2010 (boomark / email).