KEY POINTS:
If you're waiting for the trial of the former head of the collapsed sharebroking firm Access Brokerage ... don't hold your breath.
It may be sometime yet. And, in fact, if the accused's legal counsel has any say in the matter, it won't happen at all.
A Wellington District Court judge has today reserved his decision on whether Peter Marshall is fit to stand trial on charges of fraud.
The 61 year-old from Silverstream, Upper Hutt was responsible for Access Brokerage when it collapsed in September 2004, owing $3.9 million in client accounts.
Marshall faces 14 Serious Fraud Office charges of false accounting and making false statements, but he suffered a stroke in June 2006, and proceedings in the case have been repeatedly delayed due to his ill health.
Today, Judge Ian Mill heard an application from Marshall's lawyer arguing for proceedings against his client to be permanently stayed.
Defence counsel Lance Pratley argued Marshall was too ill to stand trial, as he was easily fatigued, was vulnerable to suffering another stroke, and had memory blanks surrounding the period of the alleged offending.
Judge Mill reserved his decision until December 3, and remanded Marshall on bail.
- NZPA
