[1] Thomas attempted to purchase the 2,560-acre property and its numerous buildings that were previously home to Allen’s MVBC, with plans to re-establish the original church under her leadership.
However, the owners at the time were prohibited from selling this property, situated on the south side of Arizona State Route 92 that bisects Miracle Valley.
Special assistants or watchers in the service were observed to ensure attendees did not fall asleep by striking people's heads with long poles.
Children who were church members and attended local schools were observed by their teachers to be suffering from what appeared to be severe sleep-deprivation.
The local sheriff reported that Thomas referenced the Jim Jones massacre in Guyana, stating, "If you think Jonestown was a picnic, you ain't seen nothing yet" and "We already have the punch made.
During 1978 and into 1979, interactions between the existing, mostly white residents of this area of rural Cochise County and nearby community of Palominas and the entirely African American church members from Mississippi were peaceful and friendly.
However, once Pastor Thomas and the Chicago church members began to arrive starting in 1980, the previously peaceful relationships between the congregation and residents – both of whom were followers of A.A. Allen, who was an advocate of racial reconciliation – disintegrated into mutual distrust.
[10] The regional commander of the Arizona Department of Public Safety stated that Sheriff Judd "asked the governor for a tank to go into the Valley to annihilate those niggers.
Allegations of official racism were raised during the 1984 trial, including a flier that referred to 'blacks as "porch monkeys" 'that was pinned up on a sheriff's station bulletin board.
[15] In June, 1982 the church filed a $75 million civil-rights lawsuit in federal court, naming eight county officials including Sheriff Judd.
At these times, under pressure from the sheriff's office and officials from the State Department of Public Safety, negotiations with church leaders were held.
State officials said the four children, in particular 6-year old Theriel Drew who died of strangulated hernia after four days of agonized screaming, might have survived had the church members not refused to administer medical treatment, citing their belief in faith healing.
[17] In December 1981 the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled there was sufficient reason to declare the Drew children dependants of the state to ensure their proper medical care.
[18] On September 7, 1981, sheriff's deputies entered church property and found a large and angry group of church-members surrounding a pick-up truck with two occupants.
The crowd, estimated by the deputies to number over fifty, were waving weapons (pipes, steel rebar, clubs, pistols, and rifles) and shouting threats at the truck's occupants.
On September 10, two church members, William Thomas Jr. and Dorothy Collins, arrived at the Sierra Vista sheriff's substation demanding to see McCane.
The day after the televised hammer-throwing incident (below), Governor Bruce Babbitt intervened and persuaded Thomas to arrange for the fugitives to be turned over to police, which they were on May 1.
[26][27] On April 29, 1982, a news crew from Tucson television station KOLD-TV came to Miracle Valley in the aftermath of the high school riot/melee.
[citation needed] That evening Sheriff Judd spoke with the head of Arizona DPS advising him he felt that a show of force was required and requested backup.
Their plan involved a minimum show of force – two deputies in one car – with additional backup waiting in two locations over a mile away out of sight of the compound.
[29] At approximately 7:40 on the morning of October 23, a single sheriff's car entered the compound and stopped near the intersection of Faith Ave and Honeysuckle Road, in the middle of the subdivision on the north side of the highway.
An estimated 150 church members – men, women, and children – confronted and attacked the deputies with sticks, rocks, pipes, lumber, garden rakes, knives, and firearms.
[29] After being attacked by multiple church members, Sheriff Deputy Ray Thatcher was confronted by William Thomas Jr. carrying a rifle.
[29] Multiple deputies received injuries including compound bone fractures, shattered knuckles, deep lacerations from broken glass, and wounds from shotgun pellets.
Deputy Larry A. Dever (who became the sheriff of Cochise County from 1997 until his death in a car accident in 2012) was injured by a single gunshot wound in the face.
Dever's longtime friend and partner, Korean War veteran and Sheriff Jimmy Judd (1933–2005), was deeply affected by the shootout for the rest of his life.
[36] In February 1984 charges were dropped due to Cochise County refusing to pay for legal aid defense of the indigent defendants, claiming insufficient funds in their budget.
[43] In late 1982, leader of the civil rights organization Operation PUSH Jesse Jackson, conducted a one-day visit to Miracle Valley after the shooting.
[citation needed] In 1987, twenty-six former members of CVHCC sued Frances Thomas for $2 million, alleging she committed fraud by using their contributions to purchase property in her own name instead of the church's.
The property in Miracle Valley included a large home used by Thomas and others, the church building, a store, and approximately 25 vacant lots.