PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) -- New court documents revealed what can be expected inside the courtroom as the case against a Portsmouth councilman moves forward this week.
Councilman Mark Whitaker is set to go to trial Wednesday on twenty criminal indictments, including identity fraud and forgery. The charges stem from an investigation into the church, where Whitaker serves as assistant pastor, its development company, and now-defunct credit union.
In newly filed court records, prosecutors proposed questions to ask potential jurors, who could be chosen to decide the case. They want to know if the citizens or their family members have attended services at New Bethel Baptist Church, had an account at the church's federal credit union, have taken a class or been to a lecture by Whitaker or made a political contribution to the Councilman.
Jury questions by 13News Now on Scribd
Prosecutors have also filed a motion asking the judge to declare certain witnesses "adverse witnesses." That is a legal maneuver to handle a witness, who may have a financial or other personal interest in the outcome of the case. The people listed include Whitaker's sisters, church and professional associates.
13News Now also obtained a letter to the court clerk about one of the witnesses subpoenaed in the case. An attorney wrote Malinda Starkley, who served in the credit union, has been asked to appear and produce documents that are not public records. There’s no indication what will happen on that end.
Councilman Whitaker has maintained his innocence.
Adverse witnesses by 13News Now on Scribd