Police arrested a 42-year-old woman Tuesday after neighbors complained she was disturbing them with chants around a self-built bonfire nearly 10 feet from her home at midnight.
According to police reports, Brenna K. Barney, who was found clad only in a T-shirt and underwear, yelling chants in her backyard while wearing headphones. She even smelled of alcohol and told police the neighbors were infringing on her religious beliefs since she was performing a Wiccan ritual under the new moon.
A police Captain told the Associated Press that in addition to the criminal charges filed Tuesday in Waukesha County Circuit Court, Barney might also be ticketed for alleging negligent handling of burning materials. She was seen burning rubber car mats and a cooler.
Online court records indicate that Barney posted bail overnight and will be summoned to a future court appearance.
Wicca is a nature-based religion found in various countries throughout the world. It was first popularised in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant.


















