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The trial of former Access Brokerage boss Peter Marshall on fraud charges finally got under way yesterday with a short session to empanel and prepare a jury for what is expected to be a four-week trial.
Marshall, 61, is facing 14 fraud and dishonesty charges involving up to $8 million worth of transactions conducted during the three years leading up to the collapse of Access in late 2004, leaving a shortfall in client funds of $4.8 million.
Marshall yesterday pleaded not guilty to all charges, including one involving a $1.37 million transaction.
The trial, at Wellington District Court, has been delayed several times because of Marshall's ill health and the jury was told court will sit for just four hours a day in one-hour sessions as an allowance for Marshall's condition.
Judge Bruce Davidson said the short sessions would also help the jury and court cope with the substantial amount of documents to be presented.
Witnesses will include several former Access employees and the firm's owner Bill Garlick, who has said he only became aware of the full extent of the problems at the company when he took over as acting managing director after Marshall stepped down on sick leave in September 2004.
