The Alabama Snake Preacher's Murder Attempt

In a quiet Alabama town, a preacher’s snake-handling religious practice took a dark turn when he attempted to kill his wife with a venomous snake. This sensational tale delves into the chilling story of Glenn Summerford, a snake-handling preacher, whose faith and fury nearly turned deadly.

The Rise of a Snake-Handling Preacher

Glenn Summerford’s journey from criminal to preacher began in the depths of Appalachia. Born in 1944, Summerford was no stranger to violence and hardship. His early life was marred by alcohol, fistfights, and brushes with the law. Despite this tumultuous past, Summerford found solace in religion, becoming a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher for the “Church of God with Signs Following.”

Snake-handling, a controversial practice that emerged in the early 20th century, involves worshipers handling venomous snakes to demonstrate their faith. This dangerous ritual, outlawed in all states except West Virginia, has resulted in numerous deaths, yet remains a steadfast belief among its followers.

The Dark Side of Devotion

On Oct. 4, 1991, the serene town of Scottsboro, Alabama, was jolted by a gruesome crime. Glenn Summerford, in a drunken rage, forced his wife, Darlene, at gunpoint to stick her hand into a box of rattlesnakes. The motive? Summerford believed Darlene was unfaithful and wanted her dead so he could marry another woman.

Darlene suffered two snake bites over the course of two days, enduring excruciating pain and severe necrosis. Despite her husband’s refusal to seek medical help initially, Darlene managed to survive after receiving treatment just in time. Her testimony in court revealed a harrowing ordeal of abuse and manipulation.

Trial and Conviction

The trial of Glenn Summerford was a media sensation, capturing the attention of the nation. Darlene’s account painted a terrifying picture of domestic violence and religious fanaticism. She described how her husband, in a fit of rage, coerced her into the deadly snake pit, an act driven by his belief of her infidelity.

Summerford’s defense attempted to portray Darlene as a woman with suicidal tendencies and an unhealthy fascination with snakes. However, the jury was unconvinced. After a brief trial, Summerford was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison, where he remains today.

A Legacy of Controversy

The case of Glenn Summerford continues to resonate, shedding light on the extreme practices within certain religious sects and the devastating impact of domestic violence. “Alabama Snake,” an HBO^® documentary, explores this dark chapter in Southern Appalachia, providing a stark portrayal of faith gone awry and the human capacity for cruelty.

The story of the snake-handling preacher serves as a chilling reminder of how belief and obsession can intertwine with deadly consequences. It stands as a testament to the resilience of survivors like Darlene, who bravely confronted her tormentor and sought justice.

The tale of Glenn Summerford is a haunting narrative that underscores the perils of unchecked faith and the importance of protecting those vulnerable to its extremes.

References: From the pulpit to prison: Lurid story of how a drunken serpent-handling Pentecostal preacher tried to murder his wife with a venomous rattlesnake is told in new documentary Alabama Snake | Alabama Snake: Here’s Glenn Summerford’s Status After His Attempted-Murder Conviction