Double-life Pastor free on bond

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

False churches, False Brethren, False Gospels

Double-life Pastor free on bond

Jeff Humphrey / KXLY4 Reporter
Last updated: Monday, June 04th, 2007 06:28:28 PM

KXLY4 Staff Baptist Pastor Herman Lewis is taken into custody following a brief chase with Spokane Police on April 30th.   Related Videos: 'Double-life' pastor free on bond Related Stories: • Arrested Spokane pastor to undergo mental evaluation • Pastor facing charges avoids court hearing for second day • Family members concerned about jailed pastor's mental state • Good Samaritan just tried to 'correct the problem' during abduction attempt • Spokane pastor leads double life • Police taser driver after cross-town chase

SPOKANE -- A Spokane pastor who claimed he led a double-life filled with prostitution and drug use is out of jail and addressing his congregation again.

Spokane pastor Herman Lewis spent two weeks at Eastern State Hospital having his mental health evaluated and is now asking that a special commission evaluate his sanity.

Lewis is suspected of barging his way into a Shari’s restaurant and trying to drag a waitress to a his loaner Chevy Corvette while sexually assaulting her in the process. He’s also accused of punching out a senior citizen who tried to stop the incident and then ramming a police car during a short chase that ended in his apprehension.

Once finally in custody Herman shouted to police that he was God and officers had no authority to arrest him. While in custody he also told police he was living a double life enjoying crack cocaine and prostitutes. Lewis refused to appear in court on several occasions and his public defender won the right to have Lewis evaluated at Eastern State Hospital.

However while prosecutors await the written results of Lewis’ mental health screening his family has managed to post a $75,000 bond for his release. On Sunday Lewis was reportedly back in front of his congregation at the Morning Star Baptist Church and explained his actions saying the attempted kidnapping was allegedly part of a voodoo curse.

Is it a sign Lewis is mentally ill or just laying the foundation for an insanity defense? Prosecutors are not sure but worry Lewis may be too dangerous to be out of custody.

Lewis’ public defender has now filed a motion to put together a sanity commission to decide if Lewis' actions can be excused by mental illness. If that happens the criminal charges would be put on hold while Lewis is treated at Eastern State Hospital.