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Attorney C. Scott Shields |
Repent America (RA) is saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of longtime defense attorney for the ministry, C. Scott Shields. Shields, 45, was killed Friday afternoon while skydiving in Gloucester County, New Jersey, a sport that he engaged in frequently.
Shields was one of the attorneys that defended the Philadelphia 11 in 2004 when they were facing "hate crimes" charges, which could have resulted in 47 years in prison and a $90,000 fine each. Shields fervently argued the case before the courts until all charges facing the Philadelphia 11 were dismissed.
He was also instrumental in the recent victory of U.S. v. Marcavage, in which RA director Michael Marcavage was vindicated by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for his unlawful arrest and subsequent convictions for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the public sidewalk to those waiting in line to see the Liberty Bell.
Shields additionally represented Marcavage and evangelist Ken Fleck in November 2010 as they faced charges for preaching Christ at one of Philadelphia's largest mosques, and successfully argued during the lengthy 4 1/2 hour trial for the exoneration of the evangelists.
Upon receipt of a call for help, Shields was always willing to defend Marcavage and others with the ministry, including an instance when he drove to a college campus where RA was being threatened with arrest and personally resolved the situation with campus officials. He possessed a generous and caring heart, making himself available to the ministry even into the late hours of the night.
Shields was also known to be a very zealous attorney in the courtroom, exuding an immense passion for the defense of the constitutional rights of his clients. He was not fearful to stand up to corrupt judges, but firmly stood his ground for truth and justice.
"Scott was a rare, true contender for constitutional freedom who defended me before the courts regularly without charge when others would not," Marcavage stated. "I am deeply thankful for Scott's dedication to liberty and for his consistent stand for our rights to freely proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ," he added. "His death is a tremendous loss, and we are forever grateful for his work in defending our freedom," Marcavage concluded.
Please keep Shields' family in your prayers during this difficult time.
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." - James 4:14 | 
