A snake-handling pastor charged with a criminal offense under Tennessee law has pled "not guilty" based on the First Amendment.

Pastor Andrew Hamblin is a snake-handling pastor in a Tennessee church.  Church members handle snakes in accordance with Mark 16:17.  He was in court on November 15, 2013, and pled not guilty based on his Constitutional right to freedom of religion.  He has been charged with possession and display of venomous snakes, a criminal offense under Tennessee law.  He has received an outpouring of support from about 500 people. After 50 snakes were seized by state authorities and transferred to the Knoxville zoo, other snakes were brought into his church and snake handling has continued.  http://scott.wbir.com/news/news/628872-snakes-handled-service-after-pastors-not-guilty-plea