A pastor could face a trial next year following the drowning of a man during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham. Cheryl Bartley, 48, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the death of 61-year-old Robert Smith, from Brixton, south London. Mr. Smith drowned during a ceremony at an address in Slade Road, Erdington, on October 8, 2023.
Court Appearance
Bartley appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, wearing a light brown trouser suit in the dock. She was not asked to enter a plea to the charge, and the public gallery was packed. A group of Bartley's supporters held a banner outside the court ahead of the hearing.
Trial Date Set
Judge Andrew Smith KC set a trial date for June 14 next year. The trial is expected to last four to five weeks and will be presided over by a High Court judge if it proceeds. Bartley, who is on bail and from Erdington, must live and sleep at an address in Summer Lane, Birmingham, until her next hearing.
The defendant confirmed that she understood the conditions and thanked the judge before leaving the dock.
