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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (238
notes).

Note 236 modified by SUSAN PEEK on July 23, 1997 at 15:25 Eastern (2835
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agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville,
Tenn., New York, and Washington.

Pastor Makes Compromise
CONTACT: Linda Green                           424(10-31-71B){236}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             July 22, 1997

Delaware pastor makes compromise; 
pleads guilty to disorderly conduct

                 by United Methodist News Service
     
     An African-American pastor who has been awaiting a trial in
response to charges against him by a Wilmington, Del. police
officer, entered a guilty plea of disorderly conduct July 18 in
exchange for all charges against him being dropped.
     The Rev. Lawrence M. Livingston, pastor of Ezion-Mount Carmel
United Methodist Church in Wilmington, was charged last March with
disregarding a red light and a stop sign and resisting arrest.  He
claimed the arresting officer, Kurtis Crawford, hit him with his
baton, pulled his weapon and maced him during a traffic stop. 
     Following protests of the incident, the arresting officer was
placed on administrative leave, the city's police chief resigned
and a civil rights investigation was initiated.
     Livingston's original trial was to be held June 11, but at
the request of the prosecuting and defending attorneys, a
continuance was granted until July 18.  Before Judge John Welsh
heard the case on that date, Livingston entered a guilty plea of
disorderly conduct in exchange for all previous charges being
dropped. He also was fined $100. 
     "It was important to me not to plead guilty to the four
charges," Livingston said. "Disorderly conduct is a much lesser
charge." He expressed his belief that "today was a good
compromise" and said he has learned much about Delaware law. "Once
an officer says you are under arrest, a person has to comply even
if he or she thinks his or her life is in danger."
     Witnessing the March 18 event were Livingston's children,
Michael, 5 and Rachel, 8 and two women of the congregation.
Livingston said his children "were okay" even though Michael has
become apprehensive at times at the sight of a police car.
     Although Livingston's supporters were disappointed at the
trial's outcome they expressed hope that he can get on with his
life and ministry at Ezion-Mount Carmel where he has served for
four years. 
     "I feel victorious because I know God is not through with us
yet," Livingston said. "We are not through talking about police
violence and building solidarity in the community. We cannot
forget those brothers and sister to whom this situation happens to
every day."
                               # # #
     Information for this article is based on reports and updates
filed by Wendy Green, director of communications for the
Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference.

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