>Disorderly Conduct Charges Dropped Against Preacher at Pride Event
(Reading, PA) -- Charges of disorderly conduct have been dropped against a man preaching in the street at a Pride event in Reading. Video shows Damon Atkins holding a sign reading, "Jesus said go and sin no more" while standing across the street from a June 3rd Pride-flag-raising event. He can reportedly be heard shouting scripture after a confrontation with a police officer. Reading Police Chief Richard Tornielli says Atkins was taken into custody because he was being disruptive to the event, not because of what he was saying. Officials with the Berks County D-A's office say they withdrew the charges because they didn't think they could prove a criminal case of disorderly conduct.