The Black Vault - 'Spirit' led to shooting, defendant tells court

By Diana Baldwin - A "paranormal supernatural spirit" led Wesley Darrel Free to arm himself and start shooting at the congregation at a southeast Oklahoma City church in 1999, Free testified Thursday.

"I wanted to hold them hostage and force God's hand into granting me freedom," said Free, who spent most of the day testifying about the night he went to the General Assembly Church of the Firstborn, 100 SE 46.

Free, 47, a former member of the nondenominational church, is on trial in Oklahoma County District Court, charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, discharging a firearm with the intent to kill, fourth-degree arson, pointing a firearm at another and attempt to kill.

He testified in detail about arming himself with a .22- caliber rifle, a knife, gasoline and a bundle of matches. Free said he barricaded three of the four doors before he went into the church firing his gun.

One woman in the congregation of about 100 was slightly injured during the Feb. 25, 1999, shooting.

When questioned by John Stacy, one of his attorneys, Free's testimony was nearly identical to that of eight church members who have testified since the trial began Monday.

His story became more detailed when he was questioned by Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Lister Gump. He answered almost all her questions, often giving details investigators and the prosecutor never knew.

The defense is trying to prove Free was insane at the time of the shooting.

If he is found not guilty by reason of insanity, Free will be sent for treatment. The judge later would evaluate Free to determine whether he needed further treatment or should go home.

He could face life in prison if found guilty. Free has been in jail since his arrest at the church that night.

Testimony is expected to continue today before District Judge Jerry Bass.

On Thursday, Free told jurors he blamed God for the things that went wrong in his life.

"God was one step ahead of me," Free said. "He didn't want me to obtain my goals. I wanted God out of my life. I thought I deserved my freedom."

Free said he believed in God, but he didn't like Him.

He testified he didn't want to hurt the members of the congregation that night. Free said he fired the first three shots trying to get control over the crowd.

"A powerful spirit took over," Free said. "I couldn't control myself. I realized something was not right. I started back out."

The defendant told jurors he wanted to burn the church with the people inside to get rid of any evidence he left behind.

"I took the gasoline there in case something went wrong."

Free was critical of the church he had attended most of his life. He called it a cult.

The defendant said the church believes in a false doctrine and not all of God's Ten Commandments.

The only way a person can join is if they are drawn to the church by the paranormal supernatural spirit, Free said.

Free, with long hair almost reaching his waist, testified that he went to the church until he was 21, mainly because his family attended there.

He said he lived in darkness from the time he was 16 until he was 21 and was rejected from the church.

The defendant admitted he lived a wild life, fell in love with a woman, took alcohol and drugs and became depressed, almost committing suicide.

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