Uncertainty looms over fraud trial of Ruel Reid, Fritz Pinnock and co-accused

Uncertainty surrounds the start of the multimillion-dollar fraud trial involving former Education Minister Ruel Reid and his co-accused.

The trial, which has faced chronic delays since 2019, was expected to begin today.

However, the defence team this morning complained about what they described as "improper" and "late" disclosure, especially given the voluminous number of documents involved, which they say has hindered their preparation as they have not perused all the documents.

The defence also raised objections to the granting of the order of indictment, a prerequisite before the accused can be arraigned.

Although disclosure has been ongoing since 2019, attorney Carolyn Chuck told the court that the defence was informed in May 2024 that full disclosure had been completed.

However, she said that just two weeks ago, a new batch of documents, some of which are over 1,000 pages, was served.

“It is unreasonable, and I feel like I am being ambushed,” she submitted.

Chuck further told the court that it is virtually impossible for her to adequately represent her client with such a large volume of documents disclosed in such a short time.

She noted that between 200 and 300 additional documents had recently been served.

Attorney Hugh Wildman accused the Crown of mishandling the disclosure process.

He contended that the Crown has been releasing thousands of pages electronically, rather than serving the defence with physical copies.

“If this was done, we would not have been ambushed — and in a clandestine way,” he argued.

Other members of the defence team echoed concerns about the timing, volume, and format of the disclosures, saying they amount to an unfair and oppressive situation.

They warned that these issues could lead to repeated breakdowns in the trial process.

In response, prosecutor Ashtelle Steele expressed disappointment, stating that the defence has repeatedly raised these concerns — albeit in different forms — each time the matter is due to proceed.

She said the Crown has made multiple disclosures and has done so in a way intended to assist the defence.

The most recent disclosure, she explained, occurred after the Crown had received those particular documents.

Steele also revealed that, due to issues involving witnesses, the Crown had requested that the trial start in February 2026.

However, the defence had strongly objected to that delay.

Regarding the order of indictment, Steele noted that such an order is required before the accused can be arraigned.

She added that the allegations must be formally outlined before that process takes place.

But Wildman countered that the trial cannot legally begin until the accused are arraigned, as per criminal practice and procedure.

“When they are arraigned, if counsel wants to make preliminary objections as to whether the order ought not to be granted, that’s different. You present your indictment, then you go on to outline the allegations — but not when there is an objection to the order of indictment,” he stated.

He further told Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell: “Until they are arraigned, you have no jurisdiction to hear anything. There must be an indictment to which they are pleaded.”

Wildman is currently making submissions objecting to the order.

Reid, along with his wife Sharen and daughter Sharelle, was arrested and charged in 2019.

Also charged are Jamaica Labour Party Councillor Kim Brown Lawrence and former Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) President Professor Fritz Pinnock.

They are accused of using a fraudulent scheme to siphon over $50 million from a government-run programme intended for at-risk youth.

The group faces charges under various laws, including the Corruption Prevention Act, conspiracy to defraud, misconduct in public office at common law, and breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Representing the prosecution from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is Nickeisha Young Shand, with attorney-at-law Shawn Steadman also prosecuting on fiat.

On the defence side, Ruel Reid is represented by attorneys Linda Wright and Anthony Armstrong while Sharen Reid is represented by Shannon Clarke.

Their daughter Sharelle Reid is represented by Carolyn Chuck.Brown Lawrence is represented by Oswest Senior Smith and Sasga-Gaye Brown.

Pinnock is represented by Hugh Wildman and Shamar Bryan.

- Tanesha Mundle

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