Religious Defense In Charges Of Possessing Hawk Feathers

In Marietta, Ohio Municipal Court, Steve Coulter is defending against charges of possessing hawk feathers without a permit, arguing that he was using them for a Native American religious ceremony. Friday's Marietta Times reports that Coulter picked up two dead hawks found along the highway. Coulter, who was raised as a Baptist, is now he leader of a local Native American tribe, "The People’s Nation". The group uses hawk feathers to make fans to lift smoke and prayer during religious ceremonies.