MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Up to late yesterday, it was still not clear if Moravian ministers Dr Paul Gardner and Jermaine Gibson completed the process to take up a bail offer granted in the Manchester Circuit Court earlier in the day.
The men were out on bail but had to make a new bail application after their case was moved from the Manchester Parish Court to the Circuit Court session taking place in another section of the courthouse, when they appeared to answer to carnal abuse and indecent assault charges yesterday morning.
As a result of the change, the case is now being treated as a new matter.
Circuit Courts are where jury trials are held. They generally handle more serious criminal cases and major civil cases.
If the application for a change of venue reportedly made by the prosecutor is granted, the matter is expected to be heard outside of the parish after the next court date on February 23.
The case is now being heard in Manchester because the alleged incident where a minor was sexually molested reportedly took place in the parish.
The alleged victim is now an adult.
Both men were represented by attorney Pierre Rogers at the in-camera hearing, yesterday.
High Court Judge Evan Brown was in charge of the proceedings.
Gardner and Gibson had a chaotic departure from the Manchester Parish Court when they made their first appearance last week because of the crowd outside. However, yesterday they left the courthouse discreetly.
— Alicia Sutherland
