Did Anthony Hopkins Stash His Wife Arletha In a Freezer?

Forgiveness. What does it mean? Is it enough to preach the concept? Can salvation occur only through belief or do actions really count? Anthony Hopkins, 37, is a preacher. Recently he was removed by authorities from a revival service in Jackson, Alabama, as he preached "forgiveness." Out of courtesy, police apparently waited until most of the prayers were concluded before they busted the "Rev" as he is referred to by friends and neighbors.

What are the allegations? Hopkins has been charged with murder and incest.The incest charge relates to an allegation of sexual abuse made by a relative. The murder charge arises from the discovery of a woman's body believed to be Hopkin's wife. The body was found in Hopkin's freezer. Hopkin's wife Arletha was a mother of eight (six of them Hopkin's children.) Although no one apparently reported her missing, Arletha had not been seen for about three years.

Apparently, Beverly Jackson (pastor of the Inspirational Tabernacle Church of God in Christ) told reporters that Hopkins claimed that he was a single parent and that his wife had died in childbirth. The results of forensic tests to determine the cause of Arletha's death are not yet known so theoretically that could be true. (Legal Pub cautions, that until there is conclusive evidence to the contrary, it remains possible that Arletha died from causes other than murder.)

Anthony Hopkins is being held in a Mobile County jail awaiting a bond hearing and appointment of an attorney. The children range in age from 3 to 19. At this point, the children have been placed into protective custody by the Department of Human Resources.

Keep in mind, all suspects are to be presumed innocent until otherwise proven guilty.