What he claimed was "required":
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/03/10/25418.htm
Lawrence Bullard says he should be allowed to proselytize door-to-door twice a week with other Witnesses, as their religion requires.
The Latest:
A Cincinnati Jehovah's Witness, who is also a registered sex offender, is suing the State of Ohio for the right to go door to door as part of his faith.
37 year old Lawrence Bullard is suing his local parole officer and the Ohio Department of Corrections. His parole officer allows him to go door to door once a month, but Bullard wants more-to be able to go out at least two times a week. Bullard says the state is forcing him to choose between his faith and his freedom.
Bullard's sex conviction was in New York State. In 2001, Bullard broke up with a fellow church member, whom he was dating. Bullard's attorney says his client was upset and confused, and let himself into the woman's home. The lawsuit says he hid in her closet and, "At some point, he forcibly kissed her and fell to the floor on top of her. He then put his hands down her pants, touching her pubic area." The attorney says Bullard called police himself, and admitted to the crime.
Bullard now lives in East Price Hill and is registered on the Hamilton County Sheriff's sex offender website. Bullard is also a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in his neighborhood. He says the lawsuit is about bearing witness to his faith. Bullard's attorney is with the Ohio Justice and Policy Center in Downtown Cincinnati. He says Bullard's church is aware of his conviction and he is always with another church member when he goes door to door and by limiting him, the state is limiting his right to exercise his religion and his right to free speech.
Bullard and his attorney refused an on-camera interview with Local 12. The Jehovah's Witness World Headquarters released this statement, saying "While all Jehovah's Witnesses participate in the public ministry, each decides personally how often he/she will share in it. Some are able to do more due to circumstances, some less. Encouragement is given to all Witnesses at our weekly congregation services to engage in public ministry as often as individual circumstances allow."
In his lawsuit, Bullard is asking for a retraining order against the Adult Parole Authority, who will put out a warrant for Bullard's arrest if he goes door to door more than once a month.
The State Department of Corrections says they cannot comment on a pending lawsuit.
