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By Kent Larsen
Police Identify Family and Motive for Jordan Temple Trespassing
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- The father in the family that forced their
way into the LDS Church's Jordan River Temple on December 22nd told
police that he thought he was already dead. Michael R. Robinson and
his wife, Dea, both of whom were reportedly active LDS Church
members, were discovered praying in the Temple's Celestial room with
their six children, dressed only in their undergarments.
Police say Robinson was in a 'psychotic' state when they approached
him, and that he resisted arrest, leading to a misdemeanor charge of
assault. He is also charged with criminal trespass, also a
misdemeanor.
"[Robinson] stated that he had been crucified, the blood cut off to
his hands and that his heart had stopped beating," said a police
report that related the incident. Both Robinson and his wife refused
to cooperate fully with the police. Dea refused medical treatment,
singing religous songs instead of answering questions. Both parents
were taken to the University of Utah Meical Center, but the center
refused to tell reporters whether or not the couple were still there,
citing a federal law that prohibits disclosing that information.
Meanwhile, the couple's neighbors expressed shock and disbelief at
the incident. One neighbor said the family would 'bend over backward'
to help others, and another said, "I'm just stunned."
Source:
Man in Temple Arrest Thought He Was in Afterlife, Police Say
Salt Lake Tribune 4Jan01 D1
By Michael Vigh: Salt Lake Tribune
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