Matt Pitt, founder of The Basement student ministry, was back in court this morning for a probation revocation hearing. Judge Dan Reeves decided to revoke Pitt’s probation, meaning he has to serve the remaining 10 months of a 1 year sentence handed down after he pleaded guilty to impersonating a police officer in 2012.
Reeves previously suspended Pitt’s one-year sentence and gave him two years of probation, but the Shelby Co. District Attorney’s office asked for Pitt’s probation to be revoked after he was arrested again in June, this time in Jefferson County, for impersonating an officer.
Pitt’s supporters have taken to Twitter in recent days, calling for his release with a #FreePitt hashtag campaign. An SUV with the hashtag painted on the side of it has been traveling around the state on a “Free Pitt” tour, but even the SUV has had a hard time staying out of trouble. Vince Lovell, the director of security for The Basement ministry, allegedly left the scene of an accident yesterday while driving the SUV.
Ever had a fender bender & wake up the next day to @TrussTribune TvillePD knowing the "whole story" & threatening 2 take ur license? Agenda?
— Vince Lovell (@vincelovell) October 14, 2013
A group of about 20 Pitt supporters held a prayer rally outside of the courthouse this morning.
Meet to pray for Matt at 8:30am in the morning outside Shelby County Courthouse, Wear your #freepitt shirt! pic.twitter.com/hLYEwi80wt
— Matt Pitt (@_mattpitt) October 15, 2013
Pitt’s legal troubles will continue in December when he is scheduled to appear in Jefferson County court for a preliminary hearing on the Jefferson County charge.
State Rep. Daniel Boman, D-Sulligent, is Pitt’s attorney in the case.
We will update this story as more information from today’s hearing becomes available.
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
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