David Allen Rice, 55, pastor of First Presbyterian Church on Henry Road in Anniston, had been charged with first-degree domestic violence stemming from an incident at his home on Homarda Drive last month.
Police arrested Rice on May 28 after responding to a call at the pastor’s home, where they found his brother, Philip Rice, 53, unconscious with stab wounds to the arm and chest. Rice’s wife, Karolyn Rice, told The Star her brother-in-law had a history of panic attacks and she heard Philip Rice crying in their kitchen the night of the incident. David Rice went to the kitchen to talk to Philip, she said, and later yelled to his wife to call 911.
Anniston police Sgt. Josh Doggrell said Philip Rice was taken to Regional Medical Center in serious condition and had surgery. He was later released and made a statement to police and has been subpoenaed to appear in court.
Court documents show the case was bound over to a grand jury on June 5.
The Star’s attempts Tuesday to reach the Calhoun County District Attorney’s Office for details on the case were unsuccessful.
Staff at the First Presbyterian Church in Anniston declined to comment on whether Rice was still acting as pastor. A prepared statement provided by the church to The Star last week stated “we simply do not have enough information at this time about the incident. We affirm our love for our pastor and his family.”
In a telephone interview Tuesday, Karolyn Rice said her husband would not make a statement about the matter.
The Star’s attempts Tuesday to reach the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, the branch of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) serving central Alabama, were unsuccessful.
Staff writer Brian Anderson: 256-235-3546. On Twitter @BAnderson_Star.
