Lewis juror skips court after lunch
Published:Tuesday | November 9, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE CARNAL abuse trial of televangelist the Reverend Dr Paul Lewis hit a snag yesterday when one of the empanelled seven-member jury failed to return to the Westmoreland Circuit Court after lunch.
The jurors were returning after a lengthy jury-selection process earlier in the day.
Lewis' $300,000 bail in the carnal abuse case was extended until today.
The Jamaica-born United States pastor is also scheduled to appear before the Savanna-la-Mar Resi-dent Magistrate's Court on Thursday to answer to charges of perverting the course of justice.
Information emerged in court that a witness was allegedly paid to coax the girls involved in the carnal abuse matter.
"The matter will continue throughout the course of the week," Lewis' attorney, Keith Bishop, said briefly after the court adjourned on Monday.
Lewis is accused of having a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl in his Negril, Westmoreland, hotel room in June 2009.
The accused pastor holds a doctorate in divinity and is an ordained minister. He is the founder and president of The Messengers For Christ Ministries World Healing Centre, based in the US. Lewis has authored several books, with his most recent being Walking In The Spirit.