Former Education Minister Ruel Reid and former Caribbean Martime University (CMU) President Professor Fritz Pinnock. (File photo)
There was a new legal twist on Friday in the multi-million dollar fraud trial of former Education Minister Ruel Reid and his four co-accused.
Defence attorney Hugh Wildman declared that he will be seeking judicial review in the Supreme Court after Senior Parish Court Judge Sanchia Burrell rejected his bid to have the case thrown out.
On Thursday, Mr. Wildman argued that the indictment order - the legal document forming the basis of the trial - only names Mr. Reid and co-accused Professor Fritz Pinnock, and makes no direct mention of the other three accused, Reid's wife Sharen, their daughter Sharelle and Councillor Kim Brown-Lawrence.
Mr. Wildman told the court "this cannot be cured" and said the trial is proceeding on an order that is nonexistent. But Judge Burrell disagreed, ruling that all five accused fall within the ambit of the indictment and the trial will proceed.
In response, Mr. Wildman said he will also apply for a stay of the trial, effectively halting proceedings until the higher court reviews the matter.
The accused are facing charges including conspiracy to defraud, corruption and handling criminal property.
The trial resumes Tuesday, with the Crown expected to call a second witness.
Mr. Reid and the other defendants are accused of defrauding the Ministry of Education of more than $25 million.
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