A disgraced megachurch pastor, James MacDonald, was arrested and charged in San Diego with felony assault and battery. According to police, the alleged incident occurred in Coronado, CA where MacDonald allegedly attacked a 59-year-old woman named Bara Bass which resulted in her suffering “serious injuries.”
The criminal complaint was filed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s office, which charged James MacDonald with one charge of assault by means “likely to produce great bodily injury” as well as a count of battery.
The complaint states that former Pastor James MacDonald caused “great bodily injury” upon Barbara Bass, and that MacDonald’s behavior “willfully and unlawfully” used force and violence against her. Although he pled not guilty, with felony charges such as these, MacDonald faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
“These allegations are extremely disturbing,” said Singleton Schreiber Managing Partner Gerald Singleton. “No woman should ever have to suffer this type of outrageous attack.”
This incident allegedly occurred on March 22 and was reported on at the time by the Coronado Police Department.
Singleton Schreiber assault and battery injury and personal injury attorneys can be reached at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.
James MacDonald San Diego Assault And Battery Charges
According to police reports, the incident happened when MacDonald struck a parked vehicle while attempting to parallel park. The person in the car in front of him, Ms. Bass, got out of the car to talk to him, at which point MacDonald apparently jumped out of his truck and proceeded to attack her.
As a result of this attack, Ms. Bass, who’d committed no crime or done anything to provoke the man, suffered serious injuries and was transported to the hospital.
This is not James MacDonald’s first run in with allegations of abuse. He was kicked out of Harvest Bible Chapel in the Chicago area for his harmful behavior. He was accused of bullying, spiritual abuse, financial misconduct, as well as vulgar behavior and language. MacDonald was caught on a hot mic making a joke about planting child pornography on the computer of a Christian media executive. There was also a report that MacDonald’s former bodyguard had been asked by MacDonald to find a hitman to kill someone.
According to Christianity Today, elders at Harvest Bible Chapel stated James MacDonald was “biblically disqualified” from ministry after his behavior came to light.
Serious San Diego Assault and Battery Injury
After MacDonald’s truck struck the parked vehicle, witnesses had to come to Barbara Bass’ aid to defend her and stop MacDonald from leaving the area. When officers arrived at the scene of the crime, they found a “stolen gun” inside his truck, although the ownership of the gun is under question.
MacDonald was booked into San Diego Central Jail and released on $35,000 bail that same day. He was arraigned a week later and is scheduled to appear once again for a readiness hearing on June 14.
Violent crimes such as assault and battery, are often much lower in San Diego than in the national crime rate. According to sources, San Diego averages roughly 269 assaulted per 100,000 people, below the 283/100,000 that is the national average.
Assault and battery are actually two separate crimes. Assault is considered an attempt to use force or violence against another person. The actual use of that force or violence is considered to be battery. Charges involving these two crimes, which can either be charged as felonies or misdemeanors, often involve fear of physical harm, threats, use of intimidation and more. If/when a weapon is used in these sorts of crimes, it is considered “assault with a deadly weapon” which can carry even further jail time.
In San Diego, being convicted of assault could lead to far-reaching consequences. It can go onto a person’s criminal record, could impact renting or buying a home, could make it difficult to get a job, impact a professional license and much more.
“The criminal complaint states that the victim suffered injuries because this man behaved like a thug,” Mr. Singleton added. “If the prosecution can prove these allegations, he should go to prison.”
Those who have been injured in San Diego assault and battery incidents can contact Singleton Schreiber at 619-367-7768 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.
