With These Cuffs, I Thee Wed

Seconds after Rufus Lawsen and Catrina Josey were pronounced husband and wife Saturday, police officers marched up the aisle and arrested the stunned groom in front of about 100 guests.

“He didn’t even get to kiss his bride,” wedding photographer Carter Collins said Sunday.

Lawsen, 29, had walked away from his trial on a jewelry shop heist during jury selection last month and was convicted in his absence, said police Detective Michael Reynolds.

Then police got a tip that Lawsen was getting married Saturday at Zion Baptist Church.

“Most of the guests were understandably upset,” said Errol Manley, another photographer. “They came into a place of worship with guns drawn. People were shouting ‘Don’t desecrate this church!’ and ‘Let him kiss the bride!’ It was crazy.”

Witnesses said the bride was left standing at the altar in shock while a few of the guests scuffled with police.

“She just stood there ready to cry,” Collins said.

The couple had been planning to honeymoon in North Carolina. The bride did not return phone calls Sunday.

“I did feel pretty bad for her,” said Cpl. Robert Swartz, one of the arresting officers. “Maybe she didn’t know this guy was a criminal. Maybe we even did her a favor.”

Lawsen was in custody pending a hearing. He faces five years in prison.