Chronicles of Paul Lewis trial

The following series of stories on the Pastor Paul Lewis written by Sheena Gayle (who is a Gleaner Writer, Photographer and Blogger). Note: The international televangelist is currently before the Jamaican Court on charges sexual assault of a minor and perverting the course of justice. This is an interesting chronicle of the trial that is ongoing since 2009.

CHAPTER 1: Challenges

The case against celebrated pastor Paul Lewis took a dramatic twist in the Savannah La Mar Resident Magistrate Court on September 17, 2010 as his lawyers challenged the validity of the forensic evidence that was submitted by the prosecution.

Lewis, who is facing carnal abuse and indecent assault charges, was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 with surety. It is he alleged that the renowned minister of religion sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in 2009.

"Paul Lewis feels that it is nothing short of a travesty of justice that the matter has been sent to the next sitting of the Circuit court” an obviously upset attorney-at-law Keith Bishop representing the pastor revealed following the ruling by judge.

“All of us as defense counsel made no case submissions. It's important to point out that an important element of carnal abuse is penetration, there's no evidence of penetration and the judge still commits the matter to Circuit” Bishop revealed.

The lawyer further argued that why the defense believes the matter should be thrown out is that the complaint retracted the statement of indecent assault; something according to Bishop was not taken into consideration by the judge.

 “We were denied statements from the forensic expert and we do not know to what extend the judge might have relied on those forensic evidence to determine whether or not this case should go forward. We believe that what has gone forward is an extremely weak case and we are appalled and disappointed that the matter has been committed to trial” Bishop said.

The accused pastor holds a doctorate in divinity and is an ordained minister. The United States-based pastor, who has a massive following both locally and overseas through his The Messengers For Christ Ministries World Healing Centre ministry looked very dejected during recess. A teary eyed and remorseful looking pastor Lewis sought comfort from a friend who came to support him at his trial.

Allegations against the pastor are that in June, he met the 15-year-old at a convention in Little London, Westmoreland, where he was a guest preacher. He reportedly exchanged telephone numbers with the girl and, in a subsequent meeting, took her and a 14-year-old female companion with him on a trip to Clarendon. On their return to Westmoreland, the girls stayed with him at his Negril hotel. It was during that night that the alleged sexual encounter took place as her companion watched.

Persons became suspicious when they saw the pastor with the girls and alerted the police. Lewis was subsequently arrested and charged based on statements from the girls.

He reappeared in Court on October 11.

CHAPTER 2: Inconsistencies

A major development in the case involving international preacher Dr. Paul Lewis revealed a discrepancy with one of the witness statement submitted in the carnal abuse case against him that is now before the Court.

An official Deposition of the Witness signed by the judge and the witness revealed this inconsistency that contradicts the original statement given to the police. 

According to the deposition, the 15 year-old female complaint said that two police officers  were present while she was being questioned. She explained that one of the police personnel told her that when she is in Court that she must say what is in the police a statement (the 15 year-old signed to without the presence of her parent) or else she will be sent to Copse (a facility for juvenile delinquents) . The police further uttered according the youngster that Pastor Lewis has a lot of money and that $15,000 was needed.

His attorney-at-law Keith Bishop expressed confidence that the defense will win the case based on the information that has been presented before the Court. Dr. Lewis has authored several books, with his recent being ‘Walking In The Spirit’. He baptized Ninja Man.

Trial date was then set for October 27, 2010.

CHAPTER 3: Checkmate

 High drama unfolded in Court in Westmoreland on October 27, 2010 with the case involving internationally renowned pastor Dr. Paul Lewis as fresh charges of perverting the course justice were laid against him.

This about turn in the highly publicized carnal abuse case against the pastor came when the deputy director of public prosecution Dirk Harrison told Resident Magistrate Collymore Gordon that the televangelist allegedly paid and arranged to have a Nadine Fray coach the girls on what to say when the matter goes to Court.

This allegation was however thrashed by Lewis’ defense counsel Keith Bishop who argued that the source who provided evidence on this new charge being laid out by the prosecution could not be trusted as Nadine Fray (who is now a witness for the prosecution) is acting out of malice against the pastor.

The attorney-at-law supported this claim by revealing that Nadine Fray was a good friend of the reverend, however the association went sore when Nadine’s brother allegedly broke into an apartment in Kingston where pastor Lewis was staying at the time.

Bishop further revealed that when Dr. Lewis reported the matter to the police, Nadine insisted that the pastor did not press charges against her brother. The pastor reportedly went against her request and continued the matter in Court. Bishop revealed that Nadine Fray subsequently told the pastor that see is going to bring him down.

 Pastor Lewis was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 with surety for the new charges of perverting the course justice. His bail was also extended in the carnal abuse case.

The pastor attended both matters in the RM Court and Circuit Court on that same day

Trial was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 27 however this new development postponed the trial until November 3, 2010.

When Circuit Court Justice Lawrence Beswick heard the new and existing charges against the pastor she ordered that subpoenas to be prepared for all the witnesses involved in case and served in time for the new trial date.

CHAPTER 4: Stinging Revelation

The new Bail Act has apparently stung renowned televangelist Dr. Paul Lewis, as he was remanded in police custody on Wednesday evening; mere hours after he was granted bail in the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate’s Court in Westmoreland.

This reversal occurred after the prosecution - represented by deputy director of public prosecution (DPP) Dirk Harrison - made an out-of-court appeal that caught the Lewis’ defense team off guard.

Defense attorney Keith Bishop had originally secured bail in the sum of $300,000 before Resident Magistrate Collymore Gordon on the new charges of perversion of the course of justice.

Keith Bishop was not happy at the prosecution’s move to stall bail for the Dr. Lewis, who was initially before the court on carnal abuse charges.

“We believe that the Crown did not give the oral notice of appeal to the court in accordance the Section 3A of the bail amendment,” Bishop explained.

“As we understand, the judge was advised much later while the court was not in session, and not on the building but while on his private business.”

Section 3A of the new Bail Act states that: “where the prosecution intends to appeal the decision to grant bail to a defendant, the prosecution at the conclusion of the proceedings in which the decision was communicated and before the release from the custody of the defendant, give oral notice to the Court of that intention”.

It is on this basis that Bishop is questioning the RM Gordon’s new ruling.

“The judge was in error by telephoning the clerk of court to say that the bail process should stop, and we are contending that the judge made no notation in the court sheet, while Court sat, about an oral appeal from the Crown,” the attorney argued.

“Our client’s continue incarceration is illegal and someone should be held account for his continued incarceration.”

However, Harrison confirmed that under the new Bail Act, the Office of the DPP is allowed to make such a request.  He also said that the relevant documents had been filed in the Court of Appeal.

CHAPTER 5: Lunchtime

After a lengthy jury selection process, the carnal abuse trial of televangelist Reverend Dr. Paul Lewis hit a snag when one of the empanelled seven-member jury failed to return to Westmoreland Circuit Court after lunch.

The accused pastor’s $300,000 bail in the carnal abuse case was extended.

Dr. Lewis appeared before the Sav RM Court on Thursday, November 11, to answer to new charges of perverting the course of justice.

“The matter will continue throughout the course of the week,” Dr. Lewis’ attorney Keith Bishop said briefly after the matter was adjourned.

The defense counsel for the Jamaican-born pastor secured huge victory on Wednesday, when the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal brought by Deputy Director of Prosecution Dirk Harris, to grant the embattled pastor in relation to the perversion charges.

Dr. Lewis took up his $300, 000 bail last in the new matter.

CHAPTER 6: Not Moving

“Not at this time!” outspoken defense attorney Keith Bishop responded, to the likelihood of transferring the carnal abuse trial of international pastor Reverend Dr. Paul Lewis outside of the jurisdiction in the parish of Westmoreland.

With the backlog of cases before the Savanna-la-Mar Circuit Court; Justice Carol Lawrence Beswick suggested that the Crown and the defense might want to consider the possibility hearing the matter in another court.

“We will see what happens but at the moment we have no instructions from my client as to the consideration to move the matter to another court,” Bishop explained after one of the court hearings.

CHAPTER 7: ‘Free’ Christmas

The Walking In the Spirit author and international pastor Dr. Paul Lewis strolled into Christmas without any trial hearings, as his carnal abuse trial was put off until February 2, 2011.

“Well at least he won’t be spending Christmas at the Crown’s leisure (in reference to the prosecution),” Lewis’ attorney Keith Bishop told reporters after the Westmoreland Circuit Court in Savanna-la-Mar.

Bishop further stated that the additional time would be used to further strength their defense in pleading Lewis’ innocence.

Dr. Lewis’ new charges of perversion of justice was also put off until February 2.

His $300,000 bail in the carnal abuse matter has been extended. He is also out of $300,000 bail in the perversion of justice charge

CHAPTER 8: New Year, Same Problems

With his bodyguard and his lawyer by his side, the dapperly dressed international televangelist Reverend Dr. Paul Lewis survived yet another day in the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate’s Court in Westmoreland on Wednesday, February 2.

Dr. Lewis, who is answering carnal abuse and perversion of the course charges, will return to court on February 17.

According to his lawyer Keith Bishop, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) filed some additional papers related to the case, and as such he (as entitled by law) requested an adjournment. As a result, the carnal abuse trial in the Westmoreland Circuit Court was further delayed.

"The paper that they filed in court is nothing new, so by law we have a right to ask that the matter be adjourned,” Bishop reiterated.

In addition, Bishop said that the Resident Magistrate Court had several outstanding cases and was therefore not able to hear the perversion of justice charge in court. Therefore, both matters against Dr. Lewis were pushed back until February 17.

The pastor seemed calm as he entered and exited the courtroom. The pastor's $300,000 bail in the carnal abuse matter has been extended. He is also out on $300,000 bail for the perversion of justice charge.

Note: more chapters will be added, as the case is still in the Jamaican Court.