Defense Seeks Dismissal of Charges Against Michigan Church Leaders, Citing Religious Freedom
Defense attorneys for Michigan church leader David Taylor are asking a federal judge to dismiss forced labor and money laundering charges against him and other Kingdom of God Global Church leaders. They contend the prosecution infringes on religious freedom and…
Detroit, MI, August 30, 2026 — Defense attorneys representing David Taylor, a leader within the Kingdom of God Global Church in Michigan, have formally requested a federal judge to dismiss charges of forced labor and money laundering. The legal team argues that the prosecution of Taylor and other church leaders infringes upon their constitutional right to religious freedom.
In their motion, the defense asserts that the actions forming the basis of the forced labor charges do not align with the legal definition of the crime. They contend that the prosecution’s interpretation oversteps legal boundaries, particularly concerning religious practices and community structures.
Beyond seeking dismissal of the core charges, the defense is also pursuing a motion to reopen David Taylor’s detention hearing. The specifics of the grounds for reopening this hearing were not detailed in the provided summary.
The charges against Taylor and other church leaders include allegations of forced labor and money laundering. The defense’s argument hinges on the claim that the alleged activities are protected under religious freedom principles and do not constitute illegal forced labor. The prosecution’s case has not yet been directly addressed by the court in response to these new defense motions.
The legal proceedings are ongoing in federal court. Further court filings or hearings are expected as the case progresses and the judge reviews the defense’s arguments for dismissal and the reopening of the detention hearing.
Story summarized from the original created by Noelle Friel, Mondrae Murphy on www.clickondetroit.com, see more information here.
