Pastor Accused of Killing Boy While Exorcising Demons

Boy's Mother Says She Thought People Trying To Help Her

IBS, Inc./September 19, 2003

Milwaukee -- A pastor who tried to exorcise demons from an autistic child pleaded not guilty to child abuse Thursday.

Ray Hemphill is accused of lying on top of 8-year-old Terrance Cottrell while the boy's mother and others held down his hands.

Terrance died inside the Faith Temple of the Apostolic Faith Church last month.

His mom told WISN-TV in Milwaukee she now believes the pastor should go to jail.

"During any time of that process, did you think, 'Something's wrong here?'" WISN-TV reporter Colleen Henry asked.

"No, I just thought they was trying to help me," Terrance's mother, Pat Cooper, said.

"Sometimes bad things happen. That doesn't mean there's a crime involved. That's what happened in this case," Hemphill's attorney, James Kachelski, said.

Hemphill didn't comment. He's free on a signature bond.