September 23, 2009

Judge To Decide Force-Feeding Today

» By Jeff Bent | 7:46 AM

State: Bent Might Be Force-Fed
By Jessica Dyer
© 2009 The Albuquerque Journal

A judge today is expected to decide whether or not the state Department of Corrections can force-feed imprisoned self-professed messiah Wayne Bent.

Bent – who is serving a 10-year sentence in a Los Lunas state prison for improper contact with children – is now in the fourth week of a gradual fast. The 68-year-old consumed only water last week and has started refusing even that, said Central New Mexico Correctional Facility Deputy Warden Ken Sandlin.

“Our medical department has determined it’s getting to a point where it’s getting dangerous to his health and his life,” Sandlin said.

The state filed a court petition Tuesday seeking permission to provide “involuntary nourishment” to Bent, Sandlin said. A hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. today before Judge John Pope in state District Court in Los Lunas.

Bent’s son, Jeff, said his father – leader of The Lord Our Righteousness Church in rural Union County – is firm in his conviction not to eat the food provided to him by the state.

“It’s a religious issue for him to continue to accept food from people who have locked him up under a lie,” Jeff Bent said Tuesday.

Jeff Bent said he visited his father Saturday and noticed he was “significantly weaker than normal” and was using a wheelchair. He said his father stands 5 feet, 10 inches tall and now weighs 118 pounds.

Sandlin said he didn’t know how force-feeding of Bent would be accomplished. Jeff Bent said he understood that a nasal tube would be used.

Jeff Bent said Monday marked the start of the fourth week of his father’s fasting plan, which now calls for consuming no food or water.

The first week, Bent reduced his intake to one meal per day. He spent the following week on a juice diet – which Sandlin said included nutrition-fortified drinks – and last week he consumed only water.

In a letter to followers last month, Bent promised to fast after the state Court of Appeals denied his request for a bond that could have allowed him to be released as his appeal makes its way through the court system.

Wayne Bent was convicted in December on one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor and two counts each of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for separate incidents that took place with two underage girls in summer 2006. The incidents took place at the church’s Strong City Compound northwest of Clayton.

Bent called the encounters healing processes and denied touching the breasts of the naked girls.

Jeff Bent said his father is prepared to fast until one of the following happens: the state allows his followers to feed him, the court takes “a significant turn in the direction of justice,” or he dies.

Sandlin told the Journal last week that Bent’s followers are not permitted to bring him food in prison.

«   »