Tape Shows Ovadal Calling Woman 'Heifer,' 'Whore'
Judge Orders Preacher To Pay $1,000
Posted: 10:10 pm CDT May 29, 2002Updated: 10:42 am CDT May 30, 2002
MADISON, Wis. -- A Dane County circuit judge ordered controversial preacher Ralph Ovadal to pay a $1,000 fine Wednesday for yelling at a woman at the Mazomanie nude beach on Memorial Day 2001.
News 3 has obtained a surveillance video of the confrontation, showing Ovadal (pictured left with his lawyer) calling the woman a "heifer" and a "whore," News 3 reported.The tape played a pivotal role in Ovadal's sentencing."Women who act like whores (are) called whores," Ovadal says on the tape. "You're acting like a barnyard animal. Whore, whore, whore, whore."Judge Paul Higginbotham could have sent Ovadal to jail, but knew that would make him a martyr and a hero in the eyes of those who follow him, News 3 reported. The Dane County court room was filled to standing room only with the Monroe pastor's followers.So instead the judge gave Ovadahl the maximum fine of $1,000.Higginbotham is the son of an Episcopalian preacher and is contemplating the seminary, News 3 reported."Thank you, Mr. Ovadal, and just so you know, I prayed before I came in here, so I think we're on the same page in that regard," Higginbotham said. "I called your conduct ... truculent. You crossed the line. It wasn't preaching anymore."
Ovadal maintains he was exercising his right of free speech. Officials said it was disorderly conduct."I think as a pastor, and a preacher, and a Christian leader, that I'm called to stand up against it," Ovadal said in court.Higginbotham told Ovadal he is lucky the victim in this case was not violent.
"It could have been someone else who goes back to the car, pulls a gun, and starts blowing people away," he said.Ovadal's attorney James Donohoo spoke out against the state's backing of the nude beach. "I think it's amazing that our state has tolerated a nude beach where children are stripped naked in front of other adults, and men take cameras down there," Donohoo said. "We're all supposed to sit here, and say that's just wonderful."The victim wanted a court-ordered public apology from Ovadal, but that did not happen.
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Ovadal maintains he was exercising his right of free speech. Officials said it was disorderly conduct."I think as a pastor, and a preacher, and a Christian leader, that I'm called to stand up against it," Ovadal said in court.Higginbotham told Ovadal he is lucky the victim in this case was not violent."It could have been someone else who goes back to the car, pulls a gun, and starts blowing people away," he said.Ovadal's attorney James Donohoo spoke out against the state's backing of the nude beach. "I think it's amazing that our state has tolerated a nude beach where children are stripped naked in front of other adults, and men take cameras down there," Donohoo said. "We're all supposed to sit here, and say that's just wonderful."The victim wanted a court-ordered public apology from Ovadal, but that did not happen.Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
