‘She is a goat’ - Kevin Smith wanted to cut off woman’s head as sacrifice

After presiding over the slitting of one of his church member's throat, cult pastor Kevin O. Smith reportedly gave instructions for her head to be cut off, stating that she is a goat and a sacrifice.

Tanika Gardener, a member of the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries Church at 144 Albion Street, Montego Bay, St James, was murdered as part of a bizarre ritual at the church on Sunday, October 17.

The instructions were given by Smith and were allegedly executed by Andre Ruddock, who the pastor told that he was the Archangel Gabriel.

Ruddock, who is before the Home Circuit Court for Gardener's murder, was yesterday ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, in a statement outlining the facts in the case, said Gardener's arrival at the church was announced by a little boy noted that "Pastor she have luggage".

Smith asked Ms Gardener, 'Is your blood clean?' He also asked her about a particular health issue from which she was suffering at the time.

Smith then asked Gardener: "Do you believe that I am the resurrection and the life?"

Gardener said "Yes".

Smith then asked her: "Do you believe I can raise you from the dead?".

Gardener replied "Yes".

Smith responded "Your blood have [sic] to be cleansed. I will have to cut your throat," and Gardener said "Yes".

The pastor reportedly instructed a witness to to cut Gardener's throat but he said no. It is alleged that Ruddock, the accused, walked to where Gardener was located and when he got there she knelt down before him. Ruddock then allegedly used a knife to cut her throat. It is said that she did not make a sound.

Smith allegedly told Ruddock to cut off Gardener's head. He reportedly said that "she is a goat, she has to die, she is a sacrifice", but Ruddock did not comply.

Two other persons died in the church. Michael Brown was suffering from a health issue which resulted in tubes being attached to his body. Smith reportedly told Brown, "You have to die, but you will rise again because I am the resurrection and the light." The pastor then pulled the tubes from Brown's body causing him to bleed to death.

Kevaughn Palmer was shot and killed after he attacked police officers who had stormed the church. He was armed with a machete.

Smith, who has since been labelled a cult pastor, died while being transported from Montego Bay to Kingston to be charged with various crimes when the vehicle in which he was a passenger crashed. A policeman, who was part of the escort, also lost his life in the accident.