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A leader of a “cult-like” religious group accused of murder claimed that God spoke directly through her, according to a former congregation member.
On Thursday, February 5, Kelli Byrd appeared in court to testify against Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin, who previously served in a leadership position at His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. While the church was founded in Tennessee in the late ‘90s, the congregation moved to the San Bernardino County area in Southern California in 2000, where the group remained for more than 20 years.
In her testimony, Byrd stated Martin had told churchgoers she had the “gift of prophecy” and referred to herself by the title “Prophetess Kathryn.” She would then allegedly deliver messages she claimed were directly from God to the members of the group.
“Her body would start thrashing and her voice would become deep and low as she shared ‘a word from the throne of God,’” Byrd testified.
Another former member, Anthony Duran, shared a similar story. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, he said Martin told them she “carried the spirit” and he claimed she had been comparable to “God” in their group. Duran also alleged the church had a strong pull over the congregation, often dictating their day-to-day activities in both their personal and spiritual lives.
“You had no choice in anything,” he continued. “You can’t go here. You can’t go there. You can only go to work and come home.”
Instead of being allowed to read the Bible themselves, Duran said the “Prophetess” and other church leaders insisted on being the ones to teach them.
After more than 25 years of running the religious group, Martin, 62, and several others were arrested and charged with murder in connection with the deaths of two former members, Timothy Thomas, 4, and Emilio Ghanem, 40, in December 2025.
According to prosecutors, the 4-year-old died a “very painful death” after his appendix ruptured while staying with Kat and her husband, Pastor Darryl Muzic Martin, back in 2010. Although police initially suspected neglect may have played a role, no charges were filed at the time. The boy’s father, Andre Thomas, is also facing charges.
As for Ghanem, he disappeared in 2023 some time after making the decision to leave His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. The situation was treated as a missing person case until his rental car was found burned somewhere in the Mojave Desert. Rudy Franco Moreno, a former member of the church, and Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr., whose affiliation with the group is unknown, were also arrested in connection with Ghanem’s alleged murder.
All three of them have pleaded not guilty.
“The recent arrests connected to the disappearance of Mr. Emilio Ghanem represent the persistence and dedication of the Redlands Police Department’s investigators and our law enforcement partners,” Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber said in a statement published on December 15. “I also wish to extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Ghanem’s family and friends. They have faced an incredibly difficult situation and the progression from hope to heartbreak over the past two years as this case has moved from a missing person to a homicide investigation. Our hearts are with them during this difficult time.”
Kat is currently being held without bail at the West Valley Jail in Rancho Cucamonga. Her next court date has not been publicly announced.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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