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FEMALE NEWSCASTER: First on Fox at 6:30 tonight, a balancing act between the freedom of religion and free speech.
screen in background says "Scientology" in white lettering on blue background
MALE NEWSCASTER: This is a legal showdown that we first told you about here on Fox-13 last Friday. In Clearwater, opponents of the Church of Scientology have moved in next door to Scientology, raising tension and challenging the police. Now here comes the judge. Fox-13's Steve Nichols reports.
JUDGE THOMAS PENICK (in courtroom): All of this started with an alleged battery.
footage apparently of Bob Minton at 10/31/1999 picket
BOB MINTON: Why don't you follow me across this street, right now!
JUDGE THOMAS PENICK (in courtroom): Physical touching.
more footage from 10/31/1999 picket--camera being jostled around
BOB MINTON: --you're doing to me! Oh, YOU'RE attacking ME now, huh? Is that what you're doing?
JUDGE THOMAS PENICK (in courtroom): Of getting in your face.
more footage from 10/31/1999; Bob Minton and Scieno Richard Howd
BOB MINTON: You do that again, just do it one more time.
JUDGE THOMAS PENICK (in courtroom): A picket chicken situation.
Scn building; Judge Penick at bench
STEVE NICHOLS--VOICE OF: Judge Thomas Penick in the case of the Church of Scientology versus the Lisa McPherson Trust. Versus as in Round Three of what could be a perpetual bout.
BOB MINTON (caption--"Bob Minton, Lisa McPherson Trust"): And as long as they continue to be a totalitarian organization and we continue to deliver our message, there's always gonna be clashes.
Scn building; Bob Minton outside by LMT building area with cop
STEVE NICHOLS--VOICE OF: A battle of wills between an affluent religious organization and a rich opponent named Bob Minton. Minton is already forbidden from coming within 10 feet of any church property.
building with address "33 North Building"; protestors around Scn bus
STEVE NICHOLS--VOICE OF: But he's moved his crew into a building just a few feet beyond that no-go zone, creating a situation His Honor calls "the world's greatest game of chess".
JUDGE THOMAS PENICK (in courtroom--caption, "Judge Thomas Penick, Pinellas County"): And no matter how hard I sit here and watch this game of chess, I will never be able to anticipate every move.
shot of Judge Penick's hands, holding document with part of document highlighted in yellow; Bob Minton in courtroom; shot of two tables in courtroom with people sitting; Jesse Prince; Mark Bunker; shot of white lines; Scieno bus with Scienos standing by it; Scieno building; white lines
STEVE NICHOLS--VOICE OF: But the judge did take some action. He decided three of Minton's fellow critics might also be enjoined, including former Scientologist Jesse Prince and videographer Mark Bunker. And the court sanctioned a so-called safety zone set up by Clearwater police. You see, Minton's new roost is right down the street from a dining hall used by hundreds of church staffers three times a day. These lines across the street and both sidewalks are supposed to be a buffer zone
footage from Fox-13 newscast from 2/04/2000
POLICE OFFICER: --it's all confusing to me, too.
WOMAN (off camera): Where were your workers--
protestors outside Scieno bus
STEVE NICHOLS--VOICE OF: But even the police weren't sure who needed buffering. His Honor says just protestors mentioned by name in his court order.
JUDGE THOMAS PENICK (in courtroom): And as a citizen, I expect to be able to walk through that safety zone. And if Chief Klein has any questions about that, I'm in the phone book.
lawyers in courtroom; Minton at table in courtroom with lawyers
STEVE NICHOLS--VOICEOVER: And for a final twist, the judge told the lawyers to put his wishes in writing, putting the burden of words on them.
WALLY POPE (caption--"Wally Pope, attorney): The subtext is: Boys and girls, try to work this out; this isn't Playground One.
STEVE NICHOLS--ON CAMERA (caption, "Steve Nichols, reporting"): The judge also admonished both sides to quit pestering the Clearwater Police Department with what he called "Chicken Little phone calls". Said the judge, quoting now, "The sky is not falling, so knock it off!" In St. Petersburg, Steve Nichols, Fox-13 News.
MALE NEWSCASTER: All right, Steve. Minton tells Fox-13 News that he respects the religious beliefs of Scientologists in general, but he cannot tolerate the church's top management. He says he thinks the church will be reformed if the top 25 or 30 leaders are removed.
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