A pastor accused of gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a man during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham could stand trial next year.
Cheryl Bartley, 48, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday in connection with the death of Robert Smith, a 61-year-old man from Brixton, south London.
Mr Smith drowned during a baptism held at a property on Slade Road in Erdington on October 8, 2023. Emergency services attended the address, but he could not be saved.
Bartley faces one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to the ceremony. She has not been convicted of any offence, and the case against her has not yet been tested at trial.
During Friday’s brief hearing, Bartley stood in the dock wearing a light brown trouser suit. She was not required to enter a plea before a packed public gallery.
A group of supporters gathered outside the court before the hearing and displayed a banner.
Judge Andrew Smith KC provisionally fixed the trial for June 14, 2027. The proceedings are expected to last between four and five weeks and would be heard by a High Court judge if the case goes ahead.
Bartley, who is from Erdington, was released on bail. The court ordered her to live and sleep at an address on Summer Lane in Birmingham until her next appearance.
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She confirmed that she understood the bail conditions and thanked the judge before leaving the dock.
The baptism was reportedly organised by Life Changing Ministries and took place in a small paddling pool in the back garden of the property. The ceremony was filmed and livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page before the broadcast ended.
Baptism is one of the most important ceremonies in Christianity. It usually involves water being poured over a person or the person being partly or fully immersed in water.
For Christians, baptism represents a public declaration of faith, spiritual cleansing and the beginning of a new life in Christ. It is also linked to the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, as recorded in the Bible.
Different Christian traditions practise baptism in different ways. Some baptise babies by sprinkling or pouring water, while others baptise adults through full immersion. In churches that practise full immersion, the person is lowered into water and then raised again. This is often understood as a symbol of dying to an old life and beginning a new one through faith.
Because baptism carries deep spiritual meaning, it is usually treated as a moment of joy, commitment and welcome into the Christian community. The death of a participant during such a ceremony has therefore drawn concern within and beyond the church.
Earlier court proceedings heard that Mr Smith had Parkinson’s disease and experienced physical difficulties, including problems with walking, stiffness and tremors. Prosecutors have alleged that he remained submerged in the water for several minutes during the ceremony.
Those allegations remain unproven.
Mr Smith, who was originally from Jamaica, had lived in Britain for at least 25 years. He worked as a barber and was a grandfather of seven.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge following an investigation by West Midlands Police. Prosecutors said they had considered the available evidence and decided that bringing the case to court was in the public interest.
Gross negligence manslaughter can be charged when prosecutors allege that a person owed someone a duty of care, seriously breached that duty and caused a death.
The charge does not mean Bartley is guilty. Prosecutors must prove the case beyond reasonable doubt if it reaches trial.
The case has raised questions about safety during water baptisms, particularly when participants have medical conditions, limited mobility or other health needs.
Churches that conduct full-immersion baptisms are expected to consider practical safety measures, including the depth of the water, the number of people assisting, the health of the participant and access to emergency help.
However, the court will decide this case using the evidence presented by the prosecution and defence, rather than public discussion or online commentary.
Criminal proceedings remain active. Reporting and social-media comments must not prejudice Bartley’s right to a fair trial.
She will remain on bail pending the next stage of the proceedings.
