Background

Prosecutors in San Bernardino County have intensified legal action against Darryl Muzik Martin, the pastor of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Martin was previously charged with murder in the 2010 death of Timothy Thomas, a four‑year‑old boy who died while under the church’s custody. The case revealed troubling allegations that the family failed to seek medical treatment for the child, leading to a ruptured appendix and his death.

New Charge Details

On May 29, 2026, a second murder count was filed linking Martin to the 2023 disappearance of Emilio Ghanem, a former congregant who had left the church and started a competing pest‑control business. The charge arises from evidence presented during a preliminary hearing, though witnesses have not yet testified to a direct order or the exact method of Ghanem’s death. Additional defendants, including Martin’s wife Shelley “Kat” Martin and two men, Rudy Moreno and Ramon Duran Jr., face murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges for both cases.

Legal Implications

The upcoming June 22 hearing will determine whether each defendant proceeds to trial. Authorities have described a pattern of punitive measures within the group, noting that members who defied the Martins could lose driving privileges, be expelled, or suffer physical punishment. The prosecution’s focus now rests on proving that the Martins knowingly ordered violent actions against perceived disloyal members. If convicted, Martin could face additional lengthy prison terms, underscoring the seriousness of the new murder allegation.