Pastor Charged in UK Baptism Drowning

0:00It's April 9th, TV news, today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. A pastor in the UK faces gross negligence manslaughter, charges after a 61-year-old man drowned during a backyard baptism last year. Robert Smith lost his life in a small garden pool at a home in Erdington on October 8, 2023, while Cheryl Bartley, 48, oversaw the ceremony as the church leader. Smith had called South London's Brixton home for 25 years since moving from Jamaica and had been part of the church for four years. The event was streamed live on the church's Facebook page, but that video has been taken down since. Emergency crews rushed to the slayed road address, but paramedics couldn't revive him. He was pronounced dead right there. Officials say the case highlights risks in these kinds of rituals. Prosecutors reviewed the evidence with West Midlands Police and decided it's strong enough for court, stressing it's in the public interest to move. Forward.

1:00They've urged folks online to avoid sharing anything that could sway the trial. Bartley heads the court on May 14th, so this story's far from overstay tuned as Justice plays out.