8.23.2007
Arrests Made in Salem Psychic Wars
The two individuals thought to be responsible for dumping a mutilated raccoon corpse at the doorsteps of two Salem businesses were arrested on Monday. The suspects, Sharon Graham, a High Priestess of Salem Witchcraft, and her roommate, Fredrick Purtz have both plead not guilty to charges of littering and malicious destruction of property (the raccoon is believed to been found already dead by Graham, so no animal cruelty charges are pending).
Sharon R. Graham and Fredrick L. Purtz at their arraignment.
These arrests come in the wake of a ongoing conflict over the licensing of psychics in Salem, where big money is to be made by the annual tourist trade in the "Witch City". The split between established shop owners (including Laurie "Official Witch of Salem" Cabot) and newer residents who have been making money off of large "psychic fairs" seemed to escalate in May when two shops Angelica of the Angels, and The Goddess' Treasure Chest found the remains of a mutilated animal at their doorsteps.
"The remains of a mutilated raccoon were left at the doorways of two of the city's psychic shops. At 12:41 a.m. yesterday, John Ray of Salem flagged down police Sgt. Richard Gagnon and alerted him to a raccoon's skull and a pile of intestines that had been left at the entrance to Angelica of the Angels, a shop at 7 Central St. While patrolling Essex Street about an hour later, Gagnon discovered more remains at the door to The Goddess' Treasure Chest at 172 Essex St."
Some in the community pointed fingers at Christian Day, a Salem Witch who organizes psychic fairs and a whole host of Witch-themed activities during the Samhain/Halloween season. But while Graham has indeed worked with Day in the past, it was also him who urged a witness to come forward that brought about the arrests.
"'I would never condone something like this,' Day said of the mutilated raccoon corpse. 'I'm responsible for these people being arrested single-handedly. I made (the witness) go to the police.' [Salem Police Detective] Doyle confirmed Day played a part in the witness coming forward. Day said he's trying to clear his name and wants an apology from everyone who accused him of mutilating the raccoon and leaving it on the businesses' doorsteps."
Since the "raccoon incident", the city of Salem passed a compromise measure that put some new limits on psychic readers coming in from outside, but also increased the number of potentially licensed readers. A situation that has left Cabot and some shop-owners unhappy.
"...a group calling itself the Witches' Public Awareness League, made up of several locals who have for years offered psychic readings for a fee, said the proposal isn't enough to stop interlopers who show up during the busy Halloween season and steal their business."
So while this particular incidence of black magic seems to be wrapping up, tensions still exist between the camps, and it remains to be seen if a lasting peace will come from these arrests. As for Sharon Graham, one wonders if her new infamy will ruin her career in Salem, or simply increase her profile in certain circles.
ADDENDUM: The Salem News has a good follow-up article that goes into more detail about the arraignment and the alleged spell-work that was performed by Graham and her followers.
"Richard Watson said he went back to his Bridge Street apartment on the night of May 26 to a disturbing scene: his roommate, Sharon Graham, dressed in black, surrounded by four young men, also all in black, standing around a jar. Inside that jar was the eye of a raccoon, police say. And in two trash bags in Watson’s refrigerator was the rest of the critter, which had been dismembered."
The witness who came forward is also claiming that her actions were partly an attempt to frame fellow Salem Witch and psychic fair organizer Christian Day, and partly an attack on the two stores. As for Christian Day, to say he is happy with the arrest might just be an understatement.
Labels: Christian Day, Laurie Cabot, law, Paganism, psychics, Salem, Sharon Graham, Wicca, Witchcraft
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