LOS ANGELES -- A self-proclaimed religious zealot known as the 'Rainbow Man' was handcuffed and removed from court Tuesday for screaming at prosecutors duringhis sentencing hearing.
Superior Court Judge Robert O'Neill ordered Rollen Frederick Stewart, 47, out of court and then sentenced him to three life terms with the possibility of parole.
Stewart was convicted in June of holding a woman hostage for nine hours at the Hyatt Hotel Sept. 22, 1992. He also was convicted of holding two day laborers at the hotel before they escaped.
Stewart was removed from court after he repeatedly interrupted the prosecutor, saying he held the three people hostage to attract publicity and warn others that the end of the world was near.
'I was trying to prevent a greater harm...the nuclear holocaust,' Stewart screamed.
While trying to fight off 10 bailiffs, Stewart said, 'Forgive them Lord they know not what they're doing.'
Stewart was convicted of three felony counts of hostage taking, each carrying a life term. He also was convicted of burglary and filing a false bomb report to police.
Stewart was dubbed the 'Rainbow Man' for wearing a rainbow-colored wig to professional football games and other major sporting events while holding up posters referring to Bible verses.
