Milwaukee Preacher Gets Sentence For Exorcism

Hemphill Ordered To Not Perform Exorcisms Until Trained

TheMilwaukeeChannel.com/August 17, 2004

Milwaukee -- A Milwaukee pastor was given a 2½ year prison sentence in an exorcism that caused the death of an 8-year-old Milwaukee boy.

Prosecutors say Ray Hemphill laid on Terrance Cottrell's chest for at least an hour while trying to release "demons" from him, before the boy died last August.

A Milwaukee County jury found Hemphill guilty of felony child abuse in the death of Cottrell, who was autistic.

Judge Jean DiMotto also sentenced Hemphill to 7½ years of extended supervision.

Hemphill also has to pay $1,200 in restitution, and the judge ordered him not perform any exorcisms unless he receives extensive training.

"You call it an accident, but it was your unreasonable and wreckless conduct that caused this child to die," DiMotto said.

Cottrell died at Hemphill's storefront church in Milwaukee.

The medical examiner ruled the boy died of suffocation.

"I'm hurt, and I'm sorry for Cottrell's family that thing happened, but I mean, it just happened," Hemphill's brother, David Hemphill said.