THE State would be relying on about 22 witnesses to prove its case against Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain South Marlene McDonald who is on a number of criminal charges.
McDonald is on $2 million bail and made her first appearance in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
She faces charges of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and misbehaviour in public office. She was arraigned in absentia when her case first came up last month since she had taken ill while in police custody and was taken to the St Clair Medical Centre.
Her co-accused also appeared before Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earl-Caddle who read out the 49 charges they are facing.
McDonald is charged along with her common-law husband Michael Carew, former chairman of the National Self-Help Commission Edgar Zephyrine and contractors Wayne Anthony and Victor McEachrane. They are all out on bail.
Appearing for the prosecution was State attorney George Busby of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In answer to questions by the Chief Magistrate, Busby said the State would be relying on about 22 witnesses during the preliminary enquiry to prove its case.
The matter was adjourned to November 4.
