Pastor off the hook in libel case

NASSAU- Prosecutors yesterday dropped a libel case against a pastor accused of intentionally defaming Police Commissioner Paul Rolle.

Julian Johnson, 50, was arrested and charged with intentional libel days after he claimed that the police chief had sexually assaulted female officers.

When Johnson appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney for the start of his case yesterday, the prosecutor informed him that they were not offering any evidence in the case. He did not provide a reason.

Johnson spent the night in prison after prosecutors deferred his bail hearing after his arraignment in April.

He was released on $1,000 bail the following day.