A special time set of 3 p.m. for the Gary Lee Bullock case is scheduled this afternoon in Courtroom One. Bullock is charged with the torture and murder of Fr. Eric Freed, former pastor of St. Bernard's Church.
The case is being prosecuted by Mr. Andrew Isaac and DDA Stacey Eads. Bullock is represented by Conflict Counsel's Kaleb Cockrum.
Fr. Eric was murdered New Year's Day in 2014. There has been delay after delay by the defense, the last being Bullock adding a not guilty by insanity plea, in addition to his existing plea of guilty.
Three experts have been appointed by Judge John Feeney to evaluate Bullock. No trial date has been set. Hints have been made that mid-September, early October this year may be when the jury trial will be scheduled.
Sunday is Easter and today is Holy Thursday. The next four days, for Catholics, are a very special and holy time. As a parishioner and someone who worked very closely with Fr. Eric, this time will be poignant. However, I am genuinely joyful and Holy Week for me will focus on God and many positive moments, including memories of celebrating Easter with Fr. Eric.
As I have done the stations of the Cross this Lent, and I will, again on Good Friday, as I will remember the crucifixation of Jesus, it will be impossible not to remember how Fr. Eric was brutally murdered by Bullock.
But my focus will not be on pain, it will be on Jesus, it will be on my faith, it will be the hope and joy. As Christians, at Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead giving us the hope of eternal life and hopefully being with Jesus after our death.
I am not comparing Fr. Eric to Jesus. However, every Christian martyr and Fr. Eric died for their faith, were innocents killed and they bled and were killed and tortured due to ignorance and hate just as Jesus.
For Gary Lee Bullock, this may just be another court date. For me, it is a reminder that Jesus forgave his persecutors, it is a reminder why I forgave Gary Lee Bullock very shortly after he killed Fr. Eric and more so, that as a testament to my faith and Fr. Eric's, the focus now and every day has been on Jesus.
Gary Lee Bullock has not taken away my faith nor my spirit.
I pray for Gary Lee Bullock and for his healing and genuine repentance and unlike him, I am not consumed with hate. It would be easy to feel that, and there is nothing wrong with anyone who does, but Gary Lee Bullock has not taken away Easter from me or my faith.
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