Defence attorney wants Ruel Reid, Fritz Pinnock and co-accused fraud trial dismissed, cites issues with indictment

Defence attorney Hugh Wildman this afternoon called for the dismissal of the fraud trial involving former Education Minister Ruel Reid, citing what he described as a major judicial error.

Wildman, who represents former Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) President Professor Fritz Pinnock, argued that the trial is fundamentally flawed.

He argued that although five individuals are currently on trial, only two of them—Reid and Pinnock—are named on the indictment.

“The trial as it stands so far is a nullity as it relates to the other three accused,” Wildman told the court.

“This cannot be cured because the trial has commenced on an order that does not exist.”

According to him, the issue is significant and cannot be corrected within the current proceedings.

He insisted the matter must be referred to the Supreme Court.

“How can we proceed with this trial? This trial has to come to an end,” he asserted, urging the judge to halt the proceedings.

Wildman's submission came after the prosecution closed the testimony of its first witness—a minister of religion and employee at Jamaica College—who was called to confirm the identity of a deceased individual.

The deceased, the witness’s brother, served as Reid’s driver and died on November 28, 2020, before being buried on December 19.

Following Wildman’s submission, other defence attorneys adopted his argument.

Reid's attorney, Anthony Armstrong, supported the motion, stating that the indictment is irregular.

“The information listed at the back does not contain any charges other than the one listed at the front,” he argued.

The trial involves Reid, his wife Sharen, daughter Sharelle, Jamaica Labour Party Councillor Kim Brown Lawrence, and Pinnock.

The five were arrested and charged in 2019.

They are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, corruption, acquiring and handling criminal property, and participating in an arrangement to retain criminal property.

The allegations involve a scheme to defraud the Ministry of Education and CMU of over $25 million.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.