Posted 2:48 pm Monday, March 01, 2010
Governor Perry Pays Visit To Tylerites
By CHAD THOMAS
Staff Writer
Taking an afternoon off from his campaign schedule Sunday, Gov. Rick Perry arrived in Tyler to tour one of the East Texas churches burned during a string of arsons earlier this year.
Staff Writer
Taking an afternoon off from his campaign schedule Sunday, Gov. Rick Perry arrived in Tyler to tour one of the East Texas churches burned during a string of arsons earlier this year.
Perry surveyed the charred remains of Tyland Baptist Church, alongside Pastor David Mahfood and a group of state and local agents who oversaw the two-month-long arson investigation that led to the arrest of two men on Feb. 21.
"I'm here today on behalf of the people of the State of Texas, who have watched with great concern," said Perry, who referred to the 10 church arsons as "cowardly acts perpetrated against the people of East Texas and (these) places of worship."
Last week, authorities charged two men with the burning of Dover Baptist Church in Carroll on Feb. 8. Daniel G. McAllister, 21, and Jason R. Bourque, 19, remain in Smith County Jail on $10 million bond. Authorities said additional charges are pending against the two men in relation to nine other church fires.
Perry said he intentionally did not call McAllister or Bourque by name during a speech Sunday and instead chose to acknowledge the investigation efforts of Tyler and Smith County police and firefighters.
The governor also extended words of support to church leaders and congregations victimized by the arsons.
"I want them to know that they remain in our prayers," Perry said. "There are brighter days ahead."
Mahfood, whose church was de-stroyed by fire Jan. 16, described Perry as "speechless" after touring the worship center's wreckage.
"He was shocked, just like everyone else was," Mahfood said. "But he was very encouraging and truly did seem to have a great deal of compassion for us."
Perry declined to comment on what punishment should be handed down to the individuals responsible for the 10 church arsons. The governor said that decision will best be handled by East Texans.
"I'm a proud believer in the justice system we have in Texas, and I have faith the local juries will make the right decisions," Perry said. "I have full faith that they will dispense the appropriate punishment."
