The Gleaner
November 10, 2010
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101110/lead/lead5.html
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| A contemplative Reverend Dr Paul Lewis stands outside the Savanna-la-Mar courthouse in Westmoreland, where he is answering charges of carnal abuse and perverting the course of justice. |
In a bizarre twist, the trial of televangelist, the Reverend Dr Paul Lewis, was stalled again yesterday as the mothers of the two complainants in his carnal abuse case fell ill overnight and were unable to attend the sitting.
As a consequence, the seven-member jury will have to wait until Thursday for the trial to get under way in the Westmoreland Circuit Court.
The trial was scheduled to begin on Monday, but the matter had to be adjourned after one of the jurors failed to return after the lunch break.
Allegations against Lewis in the carnal abuse matter are that, in June last year, he met a 15-year-old girl at a church convention in Little London, West-moreland, where he was a guest preacher.
He allegedly 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.
It is said that on their return to Westmoreland the girls spent the night with him at his Negril hotel. It was during that night that the alleged sexual encounter took place.
Lewis will also answer to charges of perverting the course of justice on Thursday in the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate's Court. Allegations have emerged that a witness was paid to coax the girls involved in the carnal abuse matter.
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.
Contact: sheena.gayle@gleanerjm.com
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