British pastor charged with manslaughter after man drowns during his own ‘born again’ baptism

The drowning of 61-year-old Robert Smith during a livestreamed baptism in Birmingham has led to a criminal case against pastor Cheryl Bartley, who faces a charge of gross negligence manslaughter. Smith, a long-time church member living with Parkinson’s disease, had travelled for the ceremony. Bartley is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 14 May as the case moves forward.