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Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism
Prosecutors say they have sufficient evidence after Robert Smith, 61, drowned during a baptism and Bartley is due in court next month.
- On Wednesday, the Crown Prosecution Service charged Pastor Cheryl Bartley, 48, with gross negligence manslaughter after 61-year-old Robert Smith drowned during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.
- Life Changing Ministries held the baptism in an Erdington garden pool on October 8, 2023, with the ceremony streamed live on Facebook before the feed was cut and the video removed.
- Smith, a Brixton resident and member of the church for four years, died from drowning; prosecutors determined sufficient evidence existed to pursue the charge in the public interest.
- Bartley is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, May 14, with authorities warning against online commentary that could prejudice the active criminal proceedings.
- The prosecution establishes a formal legal pathway for baptism-related fatalities, signaling increased scrutiny of small, home-based congregations and their safety standards during religious ceremonies.
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Pastor charged with manslaughter after man drowned during baptism ceremony
The Crown Prosecution Service has announced charges against a Birmingham pastor following a fatal drowning at a baptism ceremony more than two years ago. Cheryl Bartley, 48, faces one count of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of Robert Smith, who died during a religious ceremony at a property on Slade Road in Erdington on October 8, 2023.Mr Smith, 61, from Brixton in south London, drowned while being baptised by Life Ch…
·London, United Kingdom
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Evening Standard+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Woman charged with manslaughter after man drowns during baptism
Robert Smith, 61, died during the ceremony which was filmed and livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources42
Leaning Left10Leaning Right6Center22Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Center
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
58% Center
L 26%
C 58%
R 16%
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