FORMER attorney-at-law Jennifer Messado will stand trial March 1 next year on allegations that she defrauded dancehall entertainer Mavado of more than $30 million.

However, attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend, who represents the embattled Messado, believes that singjay Mavado ought to be focused on pursuing redress through the civil courts instead of the criminal courts.

“Mrs Messado has filed for bankruptcy, and it is the trustee-in-bankruptcy who will distribute assets for which he, Mavado, is making a claim. However, Mavado has not made a civil claim, instead he has been focusing on the criminal courts when he should really be focusing on the civil courts. Between 80 to 90 per cent of the cases filed against Messado already have been settled through the civil courts,” Christopher Townsend told Jamaica Observer.

“Winning the case next year doesn’t mean that Mavado will be getting back any money, but Mavado has been focused on this particular course of action instead of pursuing her in civil courts.”

Messado is accused of defrauding Mavado of more than $30 million in a real estate deal in 2018.

In the meantime, according to Oswest Senior-Smith, Mavado’s lawyer, his client appeared to be “very encouraged given the setting of trial dates”.

Mavado wanted to give his testimony via video link from the US in the trial. Senior-Smith had made an application to this effect, but it is still unclear whether the entertainer will be granted permission to do due to talk of an outstanding warrant.

Senior-Smith did not confirm whether Mavado would appear in person or via video link for the newly scheduled court dates, but said that the issue is moot.

“From my perusal of the file, the critical witnesses are the two who gave the accused lawyer the various sums on behalf of Mr Brooks. In fact, Mr Brooks’ potential testimony is little more than providing a framework,” Senior-Smith surmised.

Mavado (given name David Brooks) is known for songs including Weh Dem a Do, I’m So Special, Delilah, Star Bwoy, and recent Billboard chart-topping hit Blessed, featuring Afrobeat artiste Kidi.