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Religious Leader Charged with Murder Amid Greed Allegations

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Shelley Bailey "Kat" Martin, leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, is charged with murder.
Kelli Byrd, a former member, testified in a California court that Martin claimed God spoke through her.
Prosecutors allege greed as the motive for Emilio Ghanem's murder, note that Ghanem disappeared in 2023, and say former members described the group as controlling and pressuring false testimonies.
The investigation into the group continues.

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Story summary

Shelley Bailey "Kat" Martin, leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, is charged with murder.
Kelli Byrd, a former member, testified in a California court that Martin claimed God spoke through her.
Prosecutors allege greed as the motive for Emilio Ghanem's murder, note that Ghanem disappeared in 2023, and say former members described the group as controlling and pressuring false testimonies.
The investigation into the group continues.