On January 18, Justice Richard Lussick from the Republic of Samoa was elected as the Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II, which is the chamber of judges that has heard evidence in the case of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Mr. Taylor has been on trial for his alleged involvement in the bloody conflict in Sierra Leone that lasted from [...]
January
24
2012
As Newly Elected Presiding Judge, Justice Richard Lussick Could Deliver Final Judgment in Taylor Trial
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Special Court for Sierra Leone judges have issued orders for two seperate contempt proceedings to be held in respect of allegations that several individuals have attempted to contact prosecution witnesses with bribes for them to recant their evidence against accused or convicted persons. The first contempt proceedings relate to allegations that persons acting on behalf [...]
March
11
2011
Taylor Trial Concludes; Judges Begin Deliberations
Today marked the historic end of the trial against Charles Taylor. After three-and-a-half years of trial, the Prosecution and Defense both addressed Trial Chamber II for the final time. The parties referred to the passion, intensity, and emotions that became hallmarks of this trial, but thanked everyone involved for their hard work and dedication over [...]
Today, the Defense for Charles Taylor concluded its closing arguments. Taylor is charged with eleven counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international law. He denies all of the charges against him and his legal team has presented a vigorous case in his defense. Yesterday and today, the court heard [...]
After nearly three-and-a-half years, Trial Chamber II at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) has heard evidence from the Prosecution and Defense about whether Taylor bears the greatest responsibility for the crimes committed during Sierra Leone’s eleven year conflict. After much anticipation, the Defense finally presented its closing arguments today, marking the beginning of [...]
Charles Taylor’s defense team will finally have the chance to make their closing argument on Wednesday this week, bringing an end to an almost one month impasse that plagued the former Liberian president’s trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague. The schedule for the defense to make their closing argument was [...]
March
3
2011
Appeals Chamber Directs Trial Chamber To Accept Defense Final Brief and Schedules Defense Closing Argument
Today, Appeals Chamber judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone issued a decision granting an appeal by Charles Taylor’s defense team. The Appeals Chamber judges reversed the decision of the Trial Chamber to reject the defense final brief and also ordered the Trial Chamber to schedule a date and time for Mr. Taylor’s defense to make their [...]
March
2
2011
New Surprises Bedevil the Charles Taylor Trial
Another week, another twist at the Charles Taylor trial. Just ten days ago, the proceedings hit an unexpected impasse when Taylor’s lead defense counsel, Courtenay Griffiths, learned that his final brief—which had been delivered late—would not be accepted by the court. Griffiths declared that, absent the final brief, he did not see any further role [...]
February
25
2011
Trial Chamber Not Properly Constituted, Disciplinary Hearings For Charles Taylor’s Lawyer Cannot Take Place
The disciplinary hearing for Charles Taylor’s lead defense counsel Courtenay Griffiths, which was scheduled to take place today, was adjourned as the Trial Chamber could not be properly constituted. Griffiths was to be subject to a disciplinary hearing for walking out of the court on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 after he had made complaints about the rejection of the defense [...]
February
24
2011
Charles Taylor’s Lawyer Now Needs a Lawyer Himself
For more than three years, the charismatic defense lawyer Courtenay Griffiths has stood in front of international judges, arguing that former Liberian president Charles Taylor is not responsible for the horrific rapes, murders, and mutilations committed during Sierra Leone’s 11 years civil conflict. This week, Griffiths will walk back into the same courtroom, this time, [...]
