Trial underway for Martin Co. Commissioner Sarah Heard

A trial is underway for current Martin County Commissioner Sarah Heard.

Heard was indicted by a grand jury last year on charges she violated the state’s public records law.

She has pleaded not guilty to two first degree misdemeanors: The failure of a public official to permit inspection and copying of public records and failure to maintain public records.

Both counts are punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The case goes back several years to a lawsuit filed against the county by the Lake Point rock quarry where the company claimed Heard, and two other commissioners, destroyed or failed to produce relevant emails.

The trial is expected to last all week as up to 75 witnesses could be called by both sides.