Trial of 17 Qahal Yahweh members pushed back to April 8
Published:Tuesday | March 12, 2024 | 12:09 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE HIGHLY anticipated trial of 17 members of the controversial Qahal Yahweh religious group, who are charged with several counts of breaches of the Child Care and Protection Act, has been put off until April 8, when they are expected to return before the St James Parish Court.
The defendants all had their bails extended when they appeared before presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Ashley on Monday. They are Rebecca Gallimore, Christopher Anderson, Nekeisha Harding, Derrick Clarke, Roanalee Maitland, Alicia Meadley, Fabian Nelson, Franchain Paris, Jodian Spence, Jose Foskin, Oral Spence, Rayon Letman, Ingrid Williams, Omar Johnson, Jevaughn Johnson, Vera Woolery, and Melisha Thompson.
During the matter’s brief hearing, the court was advised that one of the female defendants had had a baby and, therefore, was unavailable to attend.
As a result, Judge Ashley set the case for continuation on April 8, at which time it is expected that the trial against the 17 defendants will commence.
On June 30, 2023, several members of the Qahal Yahweh group were taken into custody when the police raided the Qahal Yahweh group’s Paradise Avenue compound in Montego Bay during a joint special operation, following reports of alleged child abuse and assaults at the facility.
CHILDREN RESCUED
Prior to that police operation, 23 children were removed from the compound on June 7, 2023, by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency. The children, ages one to 17 years at the time, were subsequently placed in state care.
In January of this year, Omar Johnson, Jevaughn Johnson, Vera Woolery, and Melisha Thompson were arrested and charged, joining the other 13 defendants who had previously been charged and brought before the court.
All 17 defendants are represented by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie.
Neil Spence, a defendant who voluntarily turned himself in to the police in relation to the Qahal Yahweh incident, was brought before the St James Parish Court separately from the original 13 defendants on July 19, 2023, at which time he pleaded guilty to the charge of assault.
Spence, who was represented by attorney Adrian Dayes, is currently serving a non-custodial sentence in relation to the assault charge.
The Qahal Yahweh group was previously placed in the spotlight in 2019 when the police removed six children, including a pregnant 16-year-old, from the compound of the group’s church between October 31 and November 5 that year
The Qahal Yahweh church was under investigation at that time in relation to allegations that the group was conducting child marriages as well as being involved in human trafficking, abduction, child abuse, and sexual assault.