Former San Antonio lawyer takes over defense in Scientology case
Fox News 29, Texas/January 9 2014
New Braunfels, Texas -- A prominent lawyer from San Antonio is taking center stage in a major case involving the Church of Scientology.
Former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson was in a New Braunfels courtroom Wednesday defending the Church of Scientology against harassment charges.
Jefferson is now taking the lead for the defense in a trial involving the Church of Scientology and a San Antonio-area couple. Pre-trial motions are taking place in New Braunfels this week in the case of Monique Rathbun vs David Miscavige and the Church of Scientology.
Monique and Marty Rathbun claim the Church of Scientology is tormenting them. The Rathbuns say that for more than three years the Church of Scientology followed them at home, work and restaurants, leaving them scared, humiliated and frustrated.
"There were houses set up across the street from ours with surveillance cameras on our house 24/7. Everywhere we went, we were tailed," said Marty Rathbun.
Rathbun says when he publicly spoke out against the church because of alleged abuse, that's when the harassment began specifically toward his spouse.
"Because they couldn't shut me up as a whistleblower, they targeted my wife," Rathbun said.
The Rathbuns' lawyers are trying to force church leader David Miscavige to testify. They're also requesting testimony from TV actress Leah Remini, who defected from the church and is now one of its harshest critics.
"She has pertinent evidence directly in regards to Mr. Miscavige's control over these entities that are being sued, and we expect that she will give testimony about that at some point in this case," Rathbun said.
Lawyers for the Church of Scientology declined to be interviewed for this story. A judge has ordered David Miscavige to give a deposition in the case. So far, he has not complied and is asking the judge to reconsider.
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