Published Saturday, August 17, 2002
apply, he argues
Herald Staff Writer
A Hermitage man arrested for allegedly telling fortunes at his home claims he is a true psychic and the state law against fortune telling is only for those pretending to have the supernatural gift.
Marques D. Campbell, 40, of 195 Dutch Lane, was charged with fortune telling -- a third-degree misdemeanor -- after police said he used Tarot cards to read the future of an undercover Hermitage policeman.
But Campbell, who claims he's had "the gift" his whole life, said he is not guilty. "Absolutely not. Guilty of what?" he asked. "There is no offense if you are a true psychic and I am a true psychic."
According to state law, someone is guilty of fortune telling "if he pretends for gain ... to tell fortunes or predict future events" through a variety of ways including cards, reading hands, or "consulting" the stars.
"If I'm telling the truth, then how can it be pretending?" asked Campbell, who has been telling fortunes professionally for 15 years. "I have witnesses and clients who will testify that this is true, that my gift is true."
He claimed that a local constable and other clients would testify on his behalf.
When he was asked why he didn't recognize that he was reading an undercover policeman's fortune, Campbell said he sensed it, but got confused with another client.
Campbell explained that the policeman was sitting in his living room while Campbell was with another client. Campbell said "I kept asking my client if he was affiliated with the police. I asked him three or four times. I was getting police vibrations in my home during that time, because the officer was sitting in my home at the time waiting for his appointment."
Hermitage police Chief Ed Stanton said the policeman described the fortune he was given as "not even that good." But Campbell said that any opinion the officer had about his reading didn't matter. "I dispute that as well. Perhaps he was frozen. He had his mind made up that I was a fraud," Campbell said.
Campbell said his gift is "from God" and that he also has a gift of healing.
"If people are taught or programmed that these things aren't true, then that is what they will believe," he said. "What qualifications does the police officer have to determine whether or not I'm a true psychic or not?"
If convicted, Campbell could go to jail for up to a year and be fined up to $2,500.