A pacesetter of a “cult-like” non secular group accused of homicide claimed that God spoke straight by way of her, in line with a former congregation member.
On Thursday, February 5, Kelli Byrd appeared in courtroom to testify towards Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martinwho beforehand served in a management place at His Manner Spirit Led Assemblies. Whereas the church was based in Tennessee within the late ‘90s, the congregation moved to the San Bernardino County space in Southern California in 2000, the place the group remained for greater than 20 years.
In her testimony, Byrd said Martin had informed churchgoers she had the “reward of prophecy” and referred to herself by the title “Prophetess Kathryn.” She would then allegedly ship messages she claimed have been straight from God to the members of the group.
“Her physique would begin thrashing and her voice would turn into deep and low as she shared ‘a phrase from the throne of God,’” Byrd testified.
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One other former member, Anthony Duranshared an analogous story. In an interview with The Los Angeles Instanceshe mentioned Martin informed them she “carried the spirit” and he claimed she had been similar to “God” of their group. Duran additionally alleged the church had a powerful pull over the congregation, usually dictating their day-to-day actions in each their private and religious lives.
“You had no alternative in something,” he continued. “You possibly can’t go right here. You possibly can’t go there. You possibly can solely go to work and are available dwelling.”
As a substitute of being allowed to learn the Bible themselves, Duran mentioned the “Prophetess” and different church leaders insisted on being those to show them.
After greater than 25 years of working the non secular group, Martin, 62, and several other others have been arrested and charged with homicide in reference to the deaths of two former members, Timothy Thomas4, and Emilio Ghanem40, in December 2025.
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In line with prosecutors, the 4-year-old died a “very painful dying” after his appendix ruptured whereas staying with Kat and her husband, Pastor Darryl Muzic Martinagain in 2010. Though police initially suspected neglect might have performed a job, no prices have been filed on the time. The boy’s father, Andre Thomascan also be going through prices.
As for Ghanem, he disappeared in 2023 a while after making the choice to depart His Manner Spirit Led Assemblies. The scenario was handled as a lacking particular person case till his rental automotive was discovered burned someplace within the Mojave Desert. Rudy Franco Morenoa former member of the church, and Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr., whose affiliation with the group is unknown, have been additionally arrested in reference to Ghanem’s alleged homicide.
All three of them have pleaded not responsible.
“The current arrests related to the disappearance of Mr. Emilio Ghanem symbolize the persistence and dedication of the Redlands Police Division’s investigators and our regulation enforcement companions,” Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber mentioned in a assertion revealed on December 15. “I additionally want to prolong our honest condolences to Mr. Ghanem’s household and buddies. They’ve confronted an extremely tough scenario and the development from hope to heartbreak over the previous two years as this case has moved from a lacking particular person to a murder investigation. Our hearts are with them throughout this tough time.”
Kat is at present being held with out bail on the West Valley Jail in Rancho Cucamonga. Her subsequent courtroom date has not been publicly introduced.
When you or somebody you realize is experiencing little one abuse, name or textual content Youngster Assist Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.