Self-proclaimed prophet calls victim a 'witch'

Who needs reality television when you can catch this kind of entertainment in person at the Montgomery County Courthouse?

Reporter Carl Hessler is covering a trial involving a self-proclaimed prophet charged with stalking a woman the "prophet" considers a witch.

From Hessler's story in today's edition of The Mercury:

NORRISTOWN — Proclaiming to be a prophet influenced by the "Holy Spirit," a Bechtelsville area woman dramatically stood up in court and called the woman she's accused of stalking a witch.

"(She) is a very powerful witch, it's true. She has grown more insolent," Sharlene Andreyko bellowed in a Montgomery County courtroom on Tuesday as she stared at the Lower Pottsgrove woman who prosecutors say she repeatedly stalked. "I am here making an accusation that I do not do lightly. This is very, very real. I am not a crazed lunatic."

Andreyko, 50, of Lenape Road, who is representing herself at trial, spoke to a riveted jury in a narrative fashion as she denied the stalking charge and tried to explain the reasons she sent religious-themed letters to the Maple Glen Court woman and her husband.

"The reason I went this far with this is I really am a prophet. I spent a tremendous amount of time studying the Scriptures," said Andreyko, claiming the Holy Spirit advised her to "instruct" the woman's husband that his wife is a witch and that he is being deceived.

"This is what I've been led to do by the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit wants to get hold of you he will get hold of you. When I am under the influence of the Holy Spirit I speak in very powerful rhyme," testified Andreyko, who is the daughter of a pastor.

At one point during the trial, Judge Steven T. O'Neill cleared jurors from the courtroom and scolded Andreyko for flashing props such as a miniature Bible in view of jurors.

"That prevents a fair and impartial trial. You are not going to disrupt this trial," O'Neill warned Andreyko.

"I work for God, not you. This is my Bible and the United States of America," Andreyko bluntly replied before agreeing to put away her props and to refrain from future outbursts.

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.