Jahfin Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Small-Time Alabama Evangelist Charged With Murder Of Mother Of 8 Missing For 3 Years (CBS/AP) Police believe a body found in a small-time evangelist's home freezer is his wife and a mother of eight, and arrested him on a murder charge as he preached at a south Alabama church. Evangelist Beverly Jackson of Inspirational Tabernacle Church of God In Christ in Jackson, Alabama told CBS affiliate WKRG-TV Anthony Hopkins had just preached about forgiveness Monday night when sheriff deputies placed him under arrest. When Jackson asked police why they were arresting Hopkins, she says they told her, "He murdered his wife." According to Jackson, Hopkins told her that his wife died four years ago while giving birth to their youngest son. "What in the world is going on? I had no idea that he was even capable of something like this," Jackson told WKRG-TV. The news also came as a shock to others who say they knew Hopkins as a faithful Christian man who often took the pulpit. "He appeared to be a real man of God," said Carl Richardson, pastor of the Jackson church. "So, to hear something like this, we have to be careful about who we trust in these days and times." Hopkins, 37, was being held in the Mobile County jail Wednesday awaiting a bond hearing and appointment of an attorney. Police said no one reported 36-year-old Arletha Hopkins missing, even though she hadn't been heard from in three years. The body was discovered covered in a freezer in a utility room during a police search of the home in Mobile after a relative of the preacher contacted police. Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett said Hopkins was arrested Monday night at a revival in Jackson, a town in rural Clarke County where he has roots. Police awaited results of forensic tests to determine the cause of death, but Garrett said authorities believe it is Hopkins' wife. The freezer was moved to a forensics lab. Garrett said Anthony Hopkins, the father of six of the eight children, has been charged with rape and sodomy in a separate case involving the female relative and could face more charges related to another relative. Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson Jr. said the children who lived with Hopkins - who ranged in age from 3 to 19 - have been taken into protective custody by the Department of Human Resources. Garrett said the Hopkins children were home-schooled. He said Hopkins "kept to himself," and apparently moved from place to place. Neighbors called him "Rev." because he attended church so often, loading the children into a van. Police said he preached at various churches and did not appear to be affiliated with a particular denomination. Clarke County Sheriff's Chief Investigator Sgt. Ron Baggett said he listened through the church door before assisting in the arrest about 10 p.m. Monday. About 25 people were in the congregation at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3hrsoflunacy Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 3 year?!?!? He had plenty of time to move the body. He was asking to be caught. With 8 kids in the house, I can't believe one of them never looked inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suz Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Ewwwwwww Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake of Shadows Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 3 year?!?!? He had plenty of time to move the body. He was asking to be caught. With 8 kids in the house, I can't believe one of them never looked inside. Well, it said he apparently moved a lot... Garrett said the Hopkins children were home-schooled. He said Hopkins "kept to himself," and apparently moved from place to place. Neighbors called him "Rev." because he attended church so often, loading the children into a van. ~~~~~ Garrett said Anthony Hopkins, the father of six of the eight children, has been charged with rape and sodomy in a separate case involving the female relative and could face more charges related to another relative. Boy, this guy sounds like a real piece of work. Where's that puke smiley when I need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterMcLov1n Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Good God that's disgusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chef free Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Don't go to his house for dinner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the queen without a king Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Remember the days when stories like these used to shock you? Really scary how common cases like these seem to be these days. Sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanna be drummer Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 "I ate her liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti." Guess I'm the only one who caught the name? Anywho, not to make light of the situation, but thats gross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Apparently the church picnics were said to serve some of the best burgers around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jabe Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Welcome to Alabama!South AL,is a different scene from the middle of the state where I reside.Not many freezings of bods,just the usual shoot 'em up shit.You'd have to ask another valued poster about the vibe of north Alabama. I'm from the great state of Kansas,it's hot and humid as a bitch here,but I consider myself a southern boy...don't have quite the true accent.I am happy to live in this nape of the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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