Alleged Pathways killer remanded until November 3, legal aid attorney assigned

Andre Ruddock, the congregant at the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Montego Bay, St James charged with the murder of another has been remanded until November 3.

By that time his legal team should be settled.

Ruddock made his first appearance in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston this morning.

When the matter was called up, the case quickly adjourned because Ruddock did not have an attorney.

He asked the court for legal aid saying cannot afford a lawyer.

Attorney Venice Brown subsequently told the court that she would be willing to represent the accused.

The judge accepted and told her that a senior lawyer assigned by the Legal Aid Council would lead the defence. 

Ruddock was then remanded and a new mention date was set.

A fingerprint order was made by the court.

Ruddock is charged with the murder of Taneka Gardner and the injury of another person.

It is being alleged that during a ritual at the organisation on October 17, now-deceased pastor Kevin Smith instructed another congregant to slit the throat of Gardner.

The congregant reportedly refused.

Ruddock reportedly took the knife and slashed the woman's throat.

Ruddock was charged on Monday after being transferred from St James to Kingston.

Smith, who was also being transferred but in a separate police car, died when the vehicle crashed in Linstead, St Catherine.

A policeman was also killed and two others injured.

Smith was to have been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of wounding with intent and one count of illegal possession of a firearm.

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