A pastor accused of gross negligence manslaughter after a man from South London drowned during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham could face trial next year.
Cheryl Bartley, 48, was charged in connection with the death of 61-year-old Robert Smith, from Brixton, south London. Smith drowned at an address in Slade Road, Erdington, Birmingham, on October 8, 2023.
Bartley appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, wearing a light brown trouser suit. She was not asked to enter a plea before a packed public gallery. A group of supporters held a banner outside the court ahead of the hearing.
Judge Andrew Smith KC set a trial date for June 14 next year. The trial is expected to last four to five weeks before a High Court judge if it proceeds. Bartley, who is on bail and from Erdington, must live and sleep at an address in Summer Lane, Birmingham, until her next hearing.
The defendant confirmed she understood and thanked the judge before leaving the dock.
According to reports, Robert Smith was a grandfather of seven and suffered from Parkinson's disease. The Life Changing Ministries baptism ceremony was live-streamed on the church's Facebook page but was cut short. The post has since been removed.
Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the CPS’s Special Crime Division, previously stated: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. We have worked closely with West Midlands Police during its investigation. We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
