Man Accused Of Attacking Newark Bishop During Mass Pleads Not Guilty
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A man accused of punching a beloved bishop in the face during Mass was arraigned Tuesday in Newark.
Charles Miller, 48, is charged with assault in connection with the incident, which happened Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart during a special gathering in honor of baseball hall of famer Roberto Clemente.
Miller, appearing with a public defender via closed circuit TV, pleaded not guilty.
During his brief court appearance, he identified himself as "Rev. Charles Miller," and offered no explanation for the alleged attack, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported. Miller also did not react when a judge ordered he be held without bail pending another court appearance Thursday.
The brief hearing quickly became almost as bizarre as the incident that landed him in jail.
A woman, who identified herself as Miller's fiancée, angrily ran out of the courtroom, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
"All ya'll want is a story, I ain't got time for a story," she told reporters. "You want to know about him? He's a con man and he needs his medication, that's what it is."
Video of the incident shows Bishop Manuel Cruz leading prayers when a walks toward the altar and swings at the bishop, punching him in the mouth and knocking him to the ground before he's tackled by police.
Police officers and others in the pews rushed to hold down the suspect as others turned to help Bishop Cruz, who was sprawled out on the floor.
Miller was then walked out of the cathedral in handcuffs.
He's facing assault charges, and because of a prior conviction for disorderly conduct, prosecutors requested that he be kept in custody.
"Based on the state's motion, going to order that you be held without bail," Judge Sybil Elias said.
Miller did not react to the judge's ruling.
The bishop is now recovering with 30 stitches in his mouth.
"I am in pain, I'm a little frightened inside," he said. "I'm only a human being, but otherwise I am OK."
The bishop says he suspects that Miller is mentally ill, but in the spirit of forgiveness, he offered Mass for Miller, praying for him by name.
"This man who came to the altar is my brother and I've been praying for him," he said.
He hopes for this to be an opportunity of teaching about faith and forgiveness.
"I pray that this be a moment of grace for all of us and that we come to know that we are loved and that we don't have to be afraid," he said.
Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the alleged attack.