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The Home Circuit Court in Kingston heard testimony on Wednesday from a justice of the peace who met with murder accused Andre Ruddock at the Montego Bay Police Station on October 18, 2021. According to the Jamaica Observer, the JP sought to corroborate earlier testimony from detectives that Ruddock was neither threatened nor forced into confessing that he killed 39-year-old Taneka Gardner, a fellow member of Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries.
Ruddock stands trial for murder in connection with Gardner’s death on October 17, 2021, at the church’s Albion, St James location. Prosecutors allege the killing occurred during what is believed to have been a human sacrifice event, with Ruddock using a knife to cut Gardner’s throat on the instructions of his now-deceased pastor, Dr Kevin Smith.
During examination-in-chief by prosecutor LaToya Bernard, the JP testified that Ruddock appeared eager to unburden himself and clear the air, having committed what he acknowledged as a wrong act. The JP explained that he and a colleague met privately with Ruddock before the accused man gave a caution statement to detectives and participated in a question-and-answer session. The JP told the court he asked Ruddock whether he had eaten and whether he had been beaten, with Ruddock indicating he had not been mistreated.
According to the testimony, Ruddock was informed he did not need to rush into giving a statement and was advised of his right to legal representation, which he declined. The JP stated there was no indication at any point that Ruddock was coerced into participating with detectives. Ruddock’s caution statement, which was video recorded, contained his confession to killing Gardner. He subsequently answered all 42 questions posed by detectives, with the videos of both the confession and question-and-answer session played for the jury last week.
The defence has contested the prosecution’s account. During cross-examination of a witness last week, defence attorney Anthony Williams suggested that Ruddock was threatened and assaulted by a police officer before being brought to the station.
The case centres on events at Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in St James in October 2021. The church and its leadership, particularly the now-deceased pastor Dr Kevin Smith, became the focus of a major investigation following Gardner’s death. The circumstances surrounding the killing—described as a possible human sacrifice—drew significant public attention in Jamaica.
This high-profile murder trial in Jamaica involves serious allegations of cult-related violence and raises questions about police procedures and the validity of confessions in Caribbean criminal justice systems. The case has attracted considerable media attention and speaks to broader concerns about due process and the treatment of accused persons in custody.
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