Trial of Qahal Yahweh members rescheduled to November
Published:Saturday | October 12, 2024 | 12:06 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The trial of the 16 members of the controversial Montego Bay-based Qahal Yahweh religious group, who are charged with breaching the Child Care and Protection Act and the Education Act, has been rescheduled to November 15 because of the unavailability of one of the defendants.
The new date was set yesterday by presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce, after the court was told the defendant Roanalee Maitland had recently given birth. The group’s attorney, Peter Champagnie, was also absent.
“We got some very good news that there is a new life among us and, as such, the trial cannot continue in that person’s [Maitland’s] absence ... that is the reason this matter is being adjourned, and no other reason,” Grant-Pryce told the other 15 defendants.
“Your bails are extended for you to return to this court on November 15, 2024. Contact your lawyer and ensure he is here for you on November 15.”
Grant-Pryce continued, “In relation to Roanalee Maitland, a warrant is ordered for her but it is stayed; that is, you will ensure that she comes to court. If she is not here on November 15, the warrant will proceed and she will be locked up by the police. So I am depending on you to have her here on November 15.”
A prosecution witness who was present during the sitting was also excused by the court, to return on the next trial date.
In addition to Maitland, the defendants in the matter include Omar Thompson, Jevaughn Thompson, Christopher Anderson, Nekeisha Harding, Derrick Clarke, Alicia Meadley, Fabian Nelson, Franchain Paris, Jodian Spence, Jose Foskin, Oral Spence, Rayon Letman, Ingrid Williams, Vera Woolery, and Melisha Thompson.
The 16 defendants were arrested and charged following a police raid on the Norwood-based Qahal Yahweh compound in St James, on June 30, 2023. That raid followed a previous raid on the church on June 7 when 23 children, ages one to 17 years, were removed from the facility and subsequently placed in state care.
Since the defendants’ trial began on April 8 this year, the court has heard testimony from two officers from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), and from a former Qahal Yahweh member.
The Qahal Yahweh church previously came into the spotlight in 2019, when the police removed six children, including a pregnant 16-year-old, from the group’s compound between October 31 and November 5 that year. At that time, the religious group was under investigation in relation to allegations that their members were conducting child marriages, as well as being involved in human trafficking, abduction, child abuse and sexual assault.