RELIGIOUS Ministers Arsenio Butler, 27, and Devin Sears, 25, both of Ruth Street, pictured outside court at a previous appearance. Photo: Tim Clarke/ Tribune Staff
By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
BECAUSE both Crown and defence counsel have matters before the Supreme Court, the case of two ministers accused of cruelty to a 15-year-old boy has been delayed a second time.
People’s Assembly Word Centre ministers Arsenio Butler, 27, and Devin Sears, 25, will reappear before Magistrate Andrew Forbes at the earliest date available in Court 8 in September. In their previous appearance before Magistrate Forbes in March, the prosecutor and defence lawyer were debating the prosecution’s late service of their intent to produce additional evidence for the case.
After discussions in chambers, the magistrate said the best course would be to adjourn the matter to May 20 when he would clear his schedule for the witnesses and complainant.
However, yesterday’s trial did not start as the Supreme Court has precedence over the magistrates court. Magistrate Forbes set the matter down for September 23 and 24 for trial.
Butler and Sears face a charge of cruelty to children, alleged to have been committed between January 31 and February 1. It is claimed that they gave a teenage boy alcohol “in a manner likely to cause injury to his health”.
Butler, a pastor-elect, was separately charged with indecent assault. It is alleged that he put his hand down the teenager’s trousers.
Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and have retained Romona Farquharson-Seymour to defend them. Edmond Turner is prosecuting for the Crown.
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