Paul Lewis back in custody
Published:Friday | June 3, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Justice Leighton Pusey yesterday ordered internationally renowned pastor and author Dr the Reverend Paul Lewis to stay in police custody following the start of his carnal-abuse trial in the Westmoreland Circuit Court.
Lewis' attorney, Keith Bishop, downplayed the judge's ruling and described it as "normal trial process".
Lewis had been out on $300,000 bail.
The trial, which failed to begin on Monday as a result of absentee prosecution witnesses, will continue today.
The empanelled seven-member jury will hear evidence from seven prosecution witnesses, one of whom took the stand during the in camera proceedings.
allegations against pastor
Allegations are that in June 2009, Lewis met a 15-year-old girl at a church convention in Little London, Westmoreland, where he was a guest preacher.
He reportedly exchanged telephone numbers with the girl and, in a subsequent meeting, took her and a 14-year-old female companion with him on a trip to Clarendon.
The prosecution is claiming that on their return to Westmoreland, the girls spent the night with him at a Negril hotel. There was a subsequent police investigation and the clergyman was charged with carnal abuse.
Lewis also has additional charges of perversion of justice to answer in the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate Court on June 10.
Allegations are that a witness was paid to influence the girls to change their stories to benefit the defendant.