The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON


Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TRIAL date has been set for three men of the cloth accused of getting into a scuffle on the pulpit following a succession battle for leadership of a church.

Bishop Michael Symonette, 31, church minister Levano Moss, 46, and church board member Zendel Stubbs, 53, appeared in magistrates’ court yesterday before magistrate Guilimina Archer, who told them to return to court on November 20 for trial.

Last Tuesday, the three men, who are on $1,000 self-signed bail, appeared before Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez on a charge of disorderly behaviour in a place of divine worship – Ebenezer Baptist Church.

It is claimed that on Sunday, September 23, the three committed the offence at the St Charles Vincent Street church during a service.

The altercation reportedly occurred around 8am, minutes into the service, following the announcement that Symonette was chosen over Minister Moss by church members to succeed his late father, Bishop Elkin Symonette, as bishop.

At the arraignment, all three men denied the accusation and pleaded not guilty.

Attorney Michael Kemp, who represents Moss and Stubbs, asked the court for an early trial date considering the nature of the charge.

Symonette’s attorney, Ramona Farquharson-Seymour, acknowledged Mr Kemp’s point.

At yesterday’s fixture hearing, magistrate Archer indicated that November 20 was the earliest and most convenient date the case could be heard.

Both attorneys accepted the trial date.