THE 12 witnesses who turned up to testify against former pyramid scheme operator, Esmie Jones, in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court on Thursday will have to return to court on May 1, as Jones’ lawyer was absent.

Reports are that the attorney had another matter to attend to in the Black River circuit court in St Elizabeth.

Jones was charged with fraud early last year after her Speedy Cash scheme collapsed, causing hundreds of depositors to lose millions of dollars.

On Thursday, the 68 year-old former teacher sat in court long after her case was dealt with, ostensibly to avoid the scores of angry depositors who had gathered outside the courtroom.

She also received a reprimand from the RM who took umbrage to the scarf that she was wearing on her head.

“I do not like to see women wearing tie-head to court; if you feel that you must wear something on your head, wear a hat,” RM Stephens chided her.

According to the RM, she expected better from the mature woman and would have understood if someone younger were unaware of the dress code observed in the halls of justice.