Murder accused Ruddock was eager to confess, JP tells court

KINGSTON, Jamaica — One of two justices of the peace (JP) who met with murder accused Andre Ruddock on October 18, 2021, sought on Wednesday to substantiate the testimonies of two detectives who insisted that Ruddock was not threatened or forced to confess that he killed his church sister, 39-year-old Taneka Gardner. Ruddock is on trial in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston for murder in relation to Gardner's killing at the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Albion, St James on October 17, 2021, during what is believed to be a human sacrifice event. It is alleged that Ruddock used a knife to cut Gardner's throat on the instructions of his now-deceased pastor, Dr Kevin Smith. The JP claimed in court during examination-in-chief, led by prosecutor LaToya Bernard, that Ruddock was eager to clear the air and get things off his chest because he had committed a wrong act. He explained that he and another JP met with Ruddock privately in a room at the Montego Bay Police Station prior to the accused man giving a caution statement to detectives and prior to him participating in a question-and-answer exercise in relation to the incident at the church. In the caution statement, which was also video recorded, Ruddock confessed to killing Gardner. He was subsequently asked 42 questions by detectives, and he gave answers to all of them. The videos of the confession and the question-and-answer session were played in court last week for the seven members of the jury. Also captured on video was what was supposed to be a private conversation between Ruddock and the JPs. According to the JP on Wednesday, he enquired of Ruddock if he had eaten and if he was at all beaten. He said Ruddock pointed out that he was not mistreated. The JP said Ruddock was told that he needed not to rush into giving a statement and explained to him that he had a right to an attorney, but he refused and "just wanted to give the statement". The court heard that at no point was there any indication that Ruddock was forced to participate in the process with the detectives. He said Ruddock did not complain about being assaulted by any of the detectives. Last week during cross-examination of a witness, defence attorney Anthony Williams suggested that Ruddock was threatened and assaulted by a cop before he was brought to the police station.