Pathways International Trial | Defence lawyer accuses key witness of telling police a ‘pack of lies’ about killing

Defence attorney Anthony Williams today accused the key prosecution witness in the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries murder trial of telling police a “pack of lies” in statements he gave about the killing of Taneka Gardner.

Williams also suggested that the witness was covering up for the late church leader, Kevin Smith, whom the defence contends was responsible for cutting Gardner’s throat.

"Did you tell the police at any time that Andre Ruddock cut off Taneka Gardner's head?" Williams asked.

"No, the witness," replied.

Pressed further, the witness insisted that he was sure.

The witness was then shown his statement in which it was written that "A guy name Andre Ruddock then use a big knife to cut off Taneka Gardner's head."

But the witness maintained that was not what he had said.

He told the court that he did not see Gardner with her head severed completely but that Ruddock had attempted.

The witness also rejected suggestions that he told police, "a big lie".

The suggestions came during Williams’ continued cross-examination of the witness in the murder trial of Andre Ruddock in the Home Circuit Court.

Williams, along with Venice Brown, is representing Andre Ruddock, who is charged with Gardner's October 17, 2021, murder at the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries church in St James.

The witness, who was a junior minister in training and had worked closely with Smith, testified that he had observed Ruddock cutting Gardner’s throat after Smith instructed him to kill her.

Williams, before completing his cross-examination today, centred his questions on discrepancies between the witness' testimony in court and what he had written in his four statements.

“I am suggesting to you that you told the police a pack of lies when you were giving your statement,” Williams told the witness.

“I strongly disagree,” the witness replied.

Williams had been pressing the witness about whether Ruddock pulled Gardner down before her throat was cut.

The witness maintained that Gardner was kneeling when Ruddock went over to her, brought her down to the pavement and then cut her throat.

The lawyer also questioned the witness about an earlier account concerning police arriving at the church, shining a flashlight around the premises and summoning a policewoman who was a member of the church.

The witness said part of that account was incorrect, maintaining that he did not say Gardner's head had been cut off, although he did say police shone a flashlight.

The witness was also questioned about his whereabouts before he was reportedly shot by Smith.

The witness also told the court that, before the shooting, he was beside Smith on the step leading to the boardwalk at the church.

- Tanesha Mundle

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