Pastor Terry Jones Chose Jail over Paying a $1 Bond

DEARBORN, Mich. (WJBK) - A judge sent two controversial Florida pastors to the slammer Friday. The men came to Dearborn to protest outside a mosque, but a jury found their planned demonstration would likely cause a breach of the peace.

In the end, the pastors never held their protest, but they did spend virtually all day in court.

Terry Jones and Wayne Sapp wanted to demonstrate outside the Islamic Center of America.

They faced a trial by jury. Prosecutors called witnesses, including the Dearborn police chief, who claimed the protesting pastors would put the public in danger.

Ultimately, the jury agreed.

Prosecutors hoped the judge would set bond at $45,000. However, he only asked them to post one dollar each. The pastors refused, so they went to jail. We're told someone did post that bond for them and they were released.

The high drama didn't end inside the courtroom.

A rowdy mob swarmed around Terry Jones supporter Pastor David Grisham following Friday's verdict. They chanted, screamed and hollered at the Texas reverend.

Things got tense and Dearborn Police moved in to escort him safely out of the crowd.

"I just wanted to ask him, 'This means nothing to you? These people here screaming mean nothing? None of this matters? He was quiet. He had no answer for me," said protester Mahdi Saad.

"Hatred is not allowed in this world," another said. "Thank God he's not going to cause any trouble because we don't want problems between anybody."

Protesters were loud, but jurors had little to say. When asked whether he believed in freedom of speech, one said, "Yes, I do."

As the minutes ticked on, protesters kept up their vigil outside 19th District Court, then outside the Dearborn Police station, waiting in the rain and the cold for the chance to see the Florida pastor, ready to declare victory.

"All he's doing right now is trying to get publicity, and all he's doing with us, with the community is uniting us," said one man.

"We won. The community won," a woman said.

The barricades went up, the police dog came out and cops stood at the ready, but the tense mood diminished and the crowd dispersed after learning Jones and Sapp were slipped out the back.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy issued the following statement.  She said, "These proceedings were solely about public safety. This was never about prohibiting free speech or fearing rioting, but about a situation that could potentially place the public in danger in Dearborn. I will continue to take stands to be proactive in keeping Wayne County safe."

In the second video report, FOX 2's Ron Savage reports from outside the Islamic Center of America where a crowd that peaked at over 200 showed up.