Petrojam trial breaks until November 21
THE fraud trial of two former Petrojam executives was Friday adjourned in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court until November 21.
Attorneys representing the two accused, Perceval Singh and Floyd Grindley, former chairman and general manager of Petrojam, respectively, were given three different dates to consider for the trial to continue. The defence attorneys and the prosecution eventually settled on November 21.
Singh is accused of submitting claims for overseas travels he never undertook, while Grindley is alleged to have supported the former chairman in having those claims processed. The claims amounted to US$73,620.
Grindley is facing eight counts of aiding and abetting, as well as obtaining money by false pretence, while Singh faces 12 charges related to the fraudulent claims, including obtaining money under false pretence.
During the process of selecting a suitable date for the continuation of the trial, the court learned on Friday that lead counsel in the matter, KD Knight, has to travel to The Bahamas to engage in another trial in that jurisdiction and therefore isn’t available at this time. The break also serves as an opportunity for the accused to fulfil obligations overseas.
Bert Samuels, the attorney representing Singh, explained that the defence team was hoping the matter would not stretch beyond summer and said it was disappointing that it will.
Senior Parish Judge Maxine Ellis indicated that it was her wish to have the case move forward but said “it is what it is”, highlighting that some trials go on for extended periods for one reason or another.
“We hope that, all things considered, we will go smoothly. I am in a trial for seven years and I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it is a feature of almost all of the criminal matters except the ones with witnesses — and even with those you would be surprised how long they take.
“So, I am hopeful that when I press the Crown and the defence they understand why I want the earliest and the most secure date. If the Crown or the defence says they are going to do something tomorrow, it is not cast in stone. Things happen along the way; that is how life is. We have, in fact, saved some time and we are still moving. That is excellent to me and we want that to continue,” Ellis said.
The trial has seen at least seven witnesses giving evidence since it got underway on Monday, May 9.
When the trial resumes, more witnesses and exhibits regarding overseas hotels and travel bookings are expected to be scrutinised.
Other exhibits will include evidence and statements from a Brazilian police officer, travel records for Perceval Singh, and statements from the manager of a Canadian hotel.
