Branch Covidian’s Lawyer Hospitalized With COVID

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports:

A Baton Rouge lawyer who is part of the legal team representing a Central church and its pastor defying state social distancing orders during the coronavirus pandemic has been hospitalized because of the coronavirus. The lawyer, Jeff Wittenbrink, attended two events at Life Tabernacle Church — an April 2 news conference and an April 5 church service, and has been at Baton Rouge General since Tuesday after progressively worsening conditions, including a high fever and persistent cough, he said.

Reached in his hospital room Thursday while taking oxygen through his nose, Wittenbrink said he did not feel ill during the church events and has “no idea” how he may have contracted the virus. Wittenbrink, who is 59, is serving as the local counsel for Roy Moore, the former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice and Senate candidate who is helping represent the Rev. Tony Spell [photo] and his church in an expected legal fight over Gov. John Bel Edwards’ social distancing restrictions.

Read the full article. No paywall.

The lawyer’s Twitter feed is a retweeted cavalcade of crackpots: Ann Coulter, Tomi Lahren, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, and other crazies.

BREAKING: A lawyer representing Tabernacle Church and Rev. Tony Spell, who has defied Louisiana’s stay at home order during the coronavirus pandemic, has been hospitalized because of the virus. https://t.co/tX16g9ziBF

— The Advocate (@theadvocatebr) April 16, 2020