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By Racquel Porter
The long-awaited multimillion-dollar fraud trial involving former Education Minister Ruel Reid and his co-accused pressed ahead in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Monday morning, despite the absence of defence attorney Hugh Wildman.
The third witness took the stand in the trial, which began last October.
Eleven documents copied by the witness when police visited the Governor-General's Office were tendered into evidence, including Mr. Reid's Oath of Allegiance and his instrument of appointment.
But before the witness began testifying, presiding Parish Court Judge Sanchia Burrell addressed Mr. Wildman's absence.
She said an email sent by the attorney at 4:57 Friday afternoon, outlining two other court fixtures on Monday, was not an application for an adjournment.
The judge reminded the parties of a case-management pronouncement she made on July 1, placing them on clear notice that the trial would proceed Monday.
She said the decision was based on the age, complexity and history of the matters.
Judge Burrell said she had expected all attorneys to be present, or to have junior or other instructed counsel holding for them.
But after attorney Shannon Clarke contacted Mr. Wildman's junior, Shemar Bryan, on Monday morning, the court was told he had fixtures elsewhere.
Judge Burrell noted that other attorneys with competing commitments had taken steps to communicate with the court and the Crown.
She said Mr. Wildman had not extended the same courtesy to the proceedings.
The judge also pointed out that it had been three months since the last sitting.
Mr. Reid, his wife Sharen and daughter Sharelle were arrested and charged in 2019.
Also before the court are Jamaica Labour Party Councillor Kim Brown Lawrence and former Caribbean Maritime University President Professor Fritz Pinnock.
The trial continues on Wednesday.
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