Defence raises questions about cop who was member of Kevin Smith’s flock

THE detective sergeant who cried repeatedly on Tuesday while giving evidence in the Andre Ruddock murder trial in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday as she was released as a witness after defence attorney Anthony Williams ended his cross-examination of her. Ruddock is on trial for murder in relation to the October 17, 2021 throat cutting of 39-year-old Taneka Gardner at the Pathways International Restoration Ministries in Albion, St James. On Wednesday, the witness was more composed on the stand as Williams quizzed her on the happenings at the church where Gardner and two male members were killed. One of the men was killed allegedly by the late pastor of the church, Dr Kevin Smith. The other man was shot and killed by the police after he attacked lawmen with a knife. The detective sergeant was the initial investigator assigned to the case before it was turned over to a more senior cop. On the day of the incident, the pastor was said to have taken a Glock pistol from a female member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) who was also a member of the church. The pastor used that firearm to shoot at the police. When the incident was brought to an end, the police carted away numerous individuals, including Smith and the members of his church, to a police station where criminal charges were laid against them. The female cop, who had a close relationship with Smith, was among those who were arrested. She was charged for breaching the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) during COVID-19 lockdowns when no one, except for essential workers, was supposed to be on the road. Under the Act, large gatherings were prohibited. Williams, who is one of two attorneys representing Ruddock, along with Venice Brown, asked the witness whether any other charges were laid against the female police member of Smith’s flock. The attorney enquired if the cop was ever referred to the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB), which is a disciplinary unit within the JCF. “Is this arm of the JCF responsible for complaints and investigations into the conduct of any member of the JCF?” Williams asked. The witness told him that to the best of her knowledge that was, in fact, so. The attorney wanted to know why the cop wasn’t referred to IPROB, but no definitive answer was given to that question. The witness told the court that when the female constable was arrested, she was taken to an area of the church which looked like living quarters where she handed over a bag that contained her private Glock pistol, handcuffs, a video recorder, personal items, as well as her police uniform. “As indicated to me, it was a private firearm,” the witness said. Williams asked her if the constable’s hands were swabbed, and the witness said she personally did not swab her hands but gave instructions for that activity to be carried out; however, she could not speak to the outcome of the swabbing. “When you first saw her on the 17th of October 2021, did she say anything to you?” Williams asked. The witness responded in the affirmative, saying that she did speak to the cop, and that she said several things. The lawyer sought to find out if whatever was said was indicative of her involvement at Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries. “In light of the several utterances, did it lead you to carry out any further investigation?” the attorney asked. “Yes, sir, certainly,” the witness said, before explaining that she was not the person who charged the constable. She explained further that she did not know who exactly charged the constable for breaching the DRMA. The trial continues today with a new witness. The seven members of the jury are expected to view photographs of the scene at the church as described by the six witnesses who have taken the stand so far during the trial which started two weeks ago.