WATCH: John-Paul Miller confronted after rape claims
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A Myrtle Beach magistrate on Wednesday denied pastor John-Paul Miller's requests for restraining orders against four protesters who have targeted him and his church since the suicide of his wife Mica in April.
Miller was in Magistrate Court on Wednesday, a day after being accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit also named his dad, Reginald, and said they fostered a climate of 'sexual abuse and predatory conduct' in their ministry through the years.
News13 asked Miller about the rape allegations as he walked into court Wednesday. He would not comment on the lawsuit and said, 'I have nothing to say to y'all.'
At least nine people, including Miller's girlfriend, testified on his behalf at Wednesday's hearings, and the judge ruled that there was an 'obvious bias' because all of them were close to him and the Solid Rock Church. The judge also said almost all of them said they could not say for certain they saw the women at protests in January and December.
Timeline: The saga of John-Paul and Mica Miller
A large group of churchgoers, including Miller's dad were there to support him. Miller testified during Wednesday's hearing that he's afraid someone will die and that many church members are scared and carry Mace with them.
The attorney representing the women said Miller made the case a matter of public interest by doing 'national broadcast interviews.'
Demonstrators with the 'Justice for Mica' movement have targeted Miller and his Solid Rock ministry since Mica's death. The protests grew out of abuse and harassment allegations that surfaced in the weeks and months following her death, which authorities ruled a suicide.
Earlier this month, a judge denied Miller's request for a restraining order against Melissa Post. The ruling came after three of the four incidents cited by Miller in his complaint against Post were stricken during a lengthy hearing. At least two incidents are needed for a restraining order to be issued.
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