Florida pastor accused of Covid fraud a no-show in court due to 'grave medical concerns'

[Jilly_in_VA]

A Florida pastor accused of fraudulently obtaining $8 million in Covid relief funds is in declining health and appears to be unable to speak, his lawyer said after he failed to appear in court.

"There are grave medical concerns," Erin Hyde told a federal judge in Orlando on Wednesday, according to a transcript of the hearing obtained by NBC News.

Evan Edwards, 64, and his son Josh, 30, were arrested at their New Smyrna Beach home earlier in the day. They each face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on the top count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

What was supposed to be their first court appearance went sideways fast.

Evan Edwards was a no-show after he told officers he had medical issues and refused to get in his wheelchair in a court holding cell, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara Wick told the judge.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/florida-pastor-accused-covid-fraud-no-show-court-due-grave-medical-con-rcna62018

Sure, dude, dure.

[patphil]

1. As long as he's in a holding cell, I'm OK with that.

[Ray Bruns]

2. Here's an idea. Move his ass into the wheel chair and strap his ass in it

And roll his malingering ass into court.

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. +1000

[Chainfire]

4. Or, let him stay in his cell until he begs for a court date.

[dalton99a]

5. Kick

[ProfessorGAC]

8. I Always Think Of Gigante...

...in cases like this.
In this case, however, the guy is already in a cell. So, at least he's not free to be out & about.

[Faux pas]

6. Yeah Sure Ya Betcha

[kairos12]

7. How about just Mosh Pit crowd surf his grifter ass to court.

[onethatcares]

9. give him a video hearing

it's done all the time and no one has to load his ass into a wheelchair.

[Takket]

10. maybe you don't understand how this works........

you don't get to say "i don't feel like sitting in a wheelchair" and just get sent home scot free. you'll have a hearing and a trial just like the rest of us slobs. your "pastor privilege" won't save you