IE judge orders church leaders to stand trial on murder charges in deaths of boy, former member
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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) — A San Bernardino County judge ruled that there is enough evidence for leaders of a religious organization known as His Way Spirit Led Assemblies to stand trial on murder charges in connection with the deaths of a 4-year-old boy and a former church member.
Darryl Martin and his wife, Katherine Martin — described in court as the prophetess of the organization — are charged in the deaths of 40-year-old Emilio Ghannem and 4-year-old Timothy Thomas. Two other church leaders, Rudy Moreno and Ramon Duran, are also charged with Ghannem’s murder.
During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors argued that Timothy died of appendicitis while living with the Martins in January 2010. Prosecutor Justin Crocker said the child showed clear signs of serious illness and that the Martins failed in their responsibility to care for him.
“He was acting lethargic. He was unable to walk or having trouble walking. He was vomiting. He was not eating. He was crying out for help,” said Crocker. “And the Martins had accepted responsibility to take care of him, and they failed that obligation.”
Prosecutors argued that the Martins did not believe in modern medicine and instructed church members living with Thomas in a Colton home not to take him to a hospital, but instead to pray for him.
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