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By Racquel Porter
A witness in the trial of former Education Minister Ruel Reid on Wednesday admitted that her memory may have failed her while testifying about an invoice for eyeglasses and lenses purchased in August 2018.
Mr. Reid, his wife Sharen, daughter Sharelle, former Caribbean Maritime University president Professor Fritz Pinnock and Councillor Kim Brown Lawrence are on trial in connection with an alleged $25-million fraud between March 2016 and October 2019.
The witness testified that Mr. Reid and another person visited her business and paid $110,000 for the items after a discount, using a debit card and insurance.
She said approximately $93,200 was paid by debit card, with insurance covering the remaining $16,800.
The witness said a Deputy Superintendent of Police visited the facility on January 31, 2019, prompting her to retrieve invoices for August 15, 2018, from the system.
She said she found the amount, signed and dated the invoice, and handed it to the police. She maintained that the transaction had not been changed.
The invoice was admitted into evidence over an objection from Mr. Reid's attorney, Anthony Armstrong.
A merchant's copy, retrieved in February 2019, was also scanned, printed and handed to the police before being admitted into evidence.
During cross-examination, Mr. Armstrong asked whether the witness had generated, printed and signed the invoice on January 31, 2019.
She initially said yes, based on her recollection.
However, after examining the invoice, she acknowledged that the date was different, although she recognised her signature and handwriting.
She told the court her memory must have failed her.
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