Plaintiff’s right to practice the Santerian ritual of sacrificing certain types of animals, within the strictures and constraints of the religion, is a clearly established right....The court dismissed claims against various other defendants.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Santeria Priest May Proceed With1st Amendment Claims Against Police Chief
In Badillo v. Amato,(D NJ, Jan. 28, 2014), a New Jersey federal district court held that a Santeria priest can proceed with his 1st Amendment religious expression claims against a police chief for prosecuting him for animal abuse and neglect. Plaintiff was also allowed to proceed with a 4th Amendment claim. The court rejected the contention that the police chief had qualified immunity, finding that:
