Comments on: Does the UK Offer to Imprison Mr. Taylor if Convicted Mean the Outcome of the Trial is Predetermined? http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/ International Criminal Justice in the Making Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:42:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: noko5 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4672 noko5 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:09:56 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4672 Flomoku, I live in liberia through out the war and don't know that taylor supported RUF. Could you rephrase you statement so that it implies reality please. Mr. prosecution witness. Flomoku,
I live in liberia through out the war and don’t know that taylor supported RUF. Could you rephrase you statement so that it implies reality please. Mr. prosecution witness.

]]> By: Tracey Gurd http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4603 Tracey Gurd Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:42:09 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4603 Dear Sylvanus -- I have not forgotten your request. In taking Noko4's advice to get outside experts to write for us, we have actually reached out to a few expert lawyers to see if they are available to comment on this issue on hearsay. If we cannot get an outside expert lawyer soon, we will post something on it ourselves. One way or another, there will definitely be a post on this issue. Also, a number of people have asked about Mr. Rapp's interview in Liberia this week. As we will formally announce in the coming days, Mr. Rapp has agreed to do another interview with us. We have also approached Mr. Griffiths to see if someone from the defense team can speak to us as well, and hope they may also be able to soon (although we understand they are so busy with Mr. Taylor's testimony right now). Perhaps this issue is one which readers may want to ask of Mr. Rapp himself when we open it up to readers for their questions. Best, Tracey Dear Sylvanus — I have not forgotten your request. In taking Noko4’s advice to get outside experts to write for us, we have actually reached out to a few expert lawyers to see if they are available to comment on this issue on hearsay. If we cannot get an outside expert lawyer soon, we will post something on it ourselves. One way or another, there will definitely be a post on this issue.

Also, a number of people have asked about Mr. Rapp’s interview in Liberia this week. As we will formally announce in the coming days, Mr. Rapp has agreed to do another interview with us. We have also approached Mr. Griffiths to see if someone from the defense team can speak to us as well, and hope they may also be able to soon (although we understand they are so busy with Mr. Taylor’s testimony right now). Perhaps this issue is one which readers may want to ask of Mr. Rapp himself when we open it up to readers for their questions.

Best,
Tracey

]]> By: Sylvanus http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4596 Sylvanus Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:16:49 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4596 Tracey, Just to remind you that I still await your article on the admissibilty of hearsay on this trial. Another matter which has become more worrisome of recent is the conduct of the Prosecutor Stephen Rapp. He has been reported recently in the papers as saying he is very sure Taylor will be convicted. Note that this officer of the law does not say justice will be done. But that there will definately be a conviction. In my elementary knowledge of the profesional conduct of prosecutors, I know that a good prosecutor is one who does not set out desperately to secure a conviction. His objective should be that justice is achieved. However, with this kind of public statements from the prosecutor, he gives the general impression that this is a KANGAROO court. Am also forced to conclude that should Taylor be eventually convicted, that would be the biggest mockery of justice ever at an international level. I thought this trial was supposed to be a symbolism of the rule of law. With the irresponsible remarks and conduct of Mr. Rapp this trial has become a vendatta by Mr. Rapp either on his on behalf or on behalf of some shadow prosecutor(s)! Its a very big SHAME! A DISGRACE not only to the legal profession but to the organisations and countries who are funding this court. Tracey,

Just to remind you that I still await your article on the admissibilty of hearsay on this trial. Another matter which has become more worrisome of recent is the conduct of the Prosecutor Stephen Rapp. He has been reported recently in the papers as saying he is very sure Taylor will be convicted. Note that this officer of the law does not say justice will be done. But that there will definately be a conviction.

In my elementary knowledge of the profesional conduct of prosecutors, I know that a good prosecutor is one who does not set out desperately to secure a conviction. His objective should be that justice is achieved. However, with this kind of public statements from the prosecutor, he gives the general impression that this is a KANGAROO court. Am also forced to conclude that should Taylor be eventually convicted, that would be the biggest mockery of justice ever at an international level.

I thought this trial was supposed to be a symbolism of the rule of law. With the irresponsible remarks and conduct of Mr. Rapp this trial has become a vendatta by Mr. Rapp either on his on behalf or on behalf of some shadow prosecutor(s)! Its a very big SHAME! A DISGRACE not only to the legal profession but to the organisations and countries who are funding this court.

]]> By: andrew Jlay http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4449 andrew Jlay Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:12:10 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4449 Elbee, We should all be serious. Liberia is experiencing peace and tranquility like in the old days. No one will accept some makeshift western style plan and sholve it down Liberians throat, only to cause confusion and division. No Sierra Leonean style court will work in Liberia. It has no legal standing. When the accords that brought these government to power grant amnesty, it will be observed just as the interim governments were respected. If the Sierra Leoneans neglected their laws, it is up to them. All of you should abandon those thoughts because no one is more Liberian than the other to inject confusion amongst our midst. The demands of the TRC final reports will die a natural death, and that is the truth. Elbee,

We should all be serious. Liberia is experiencing peace and tranquility like in the old days. No one will accept some makeshift western style plan and sholve it down Liberians throat, only to cause confusion and division.

No Sierra Leonean style court will work in Liberia. It has no legal standing. When the accords that brought these government to power grant amnesty, it will be observed just as the interim governments were respected.

If the Sierra Leoneans neglected their laws, it is up to them. All of you should abandon those thoughts because no one is more Liberian than the other to inject confusion amongst our midst.

The demands of the TRC final reports will die a natural death, and that is the truth.

]]> By: Noko4 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4429 Noko4 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:17:11 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4429 Kpadekpah, The judges were NOT Liberians and didn't lived in Liberia either, so what are they suppose to judicate the case on?? Your words or the evidences presented in this court??? Again, if what you are saying is FACTUAL, the prosecutors will have their period to examine him on it but as far as I know, that was NEVER EVER introduces by anyone in this court. I don't have to live on the moon to know that the moon is a desert and lifeless. Again, Mr. Blah told his court, Mr. Bockerie died in a fire fight, another witness told the court it was a PLAN to kill all the Sierra Leoneans that were in ATU. Both were prosecutors witnesses, who do we believe??? Kpadekpah,
The judges were NOT Liberians and didn’t lived in Liberia either, so what are they suppose to judicate the case on?? Your words or the evidences presented in this court??? Again, if what you are saying is FACTUAL, the prosecutors will have their period to examine him on it but as far as I know, that was NEVER EVER introduces by anyone in this court.

I don’t have to live on the moon to know that the moon is a desert and lifeless. Again, Mr. Blah told his court, Mr. Bockerie died in a fire fight, another witness told the court it was a PLAN to kill all the Sierra Leoneans that were in ATU. Both were prosecutors witnesses, who do we believe???

]]> By: MyJo http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4425 MyJo Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:36:50 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4425 Would it benefit Liberia for him to return and "rub it in their face"? my educated guess is not at all. Now if Taylor is a self serving fool, then he would, if acquitted, run as fast as he could to Liberia, run for office, and if he won, do exactly what he did when he was president......... nothing. At least nothing to help the Liberian people. If you want to take the stance that he was "not allowed" (i will not even comment on that... being willing to take handouts from the "west" but not the problems that come with "them") to help his people then, it is safe to say he would not be allowed to help them now either. In knowing this, his selfishness would truly come to light and we would know for sure he does NOT care about Liberians or Liberia. but no, let them suffer so he can prove a point. This ONE MAN is that important. Would it benefit Liberia for him to return and “rub it in their face”? my educated guess is not at all. Now if Taylor is a self serving fool, then he would, if acquitted, run as fast as he could to Liberia, run for office, and if he won, do exactly what he did when he was president……… nothing. At least nothing to help the Liberian people.

If you want to take the stance that he was “not allowed” (i will not even comment on that… being willing to take handouts from the “west” but not the problems that come with “them”) to help his people then, it is safe to say he would not be allowed to help them now either. In knowing this, his selfishness would truly come to light and we would know for sure he does NOT care about Liberians or Liberia.

but no, let them suffer so he can prove a point. This ONE MAN is that important.

]]> By: MyJo http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4423 MyJo Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:25:29 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4423 There are many instances where money could have been seemingly "better served". It was not a choice between putting Taylor on trial or feeding the poor therefore this is a mute point. The "two big hands" if "they" wanted, could feed the poor, hold the trial, build a spaceship, and fly to Mars simultaneously. This trial of ONE MAN is not taking food out of anybody's mouth. There are many instances where money could have been seemingly “better served”. It was not a choice between putting Taylor on trial or feeding the poor therefore this is a mute point. The “two big hands” if “they” wanted, could feed the poor, hold the trial, build a spaceship, and fly to Mars simultaneously. This trial of ONE MAN is not taking food out of anybody’s mouth.

]]> By: MyJo http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4422 MyJo Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:19:30 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4422 Great! good to know facts. thanks Great! good to know facts.

thanks

]]> By: Kpadekpah Flomoku http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4405 Kpadekpah Flomoku Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:37:01 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4405 Bro Noko 4: You just said it all, you were not in Liberia, I am surprise that you did not know that Taylor said he deported Bockerie, that was a national and international news event that was broadcast live on all news channels in Liberia. Ask Liberians who live in Liberia about the deportation of Sam Bockeria. Only Liberians that live in Liberia knows the true facts about Taylor support to the RUF. Not you. Bro Noko 4:

You just said it all, you were not in Liberia, I am surprise that you did not know that Taylor said he deported Bockerie, that was a national and international news event that was broadcast live on all news channels in Liberia. Ask Liberians who live in Liberia about the deportation of Sam Bockeria.

Only Liberians that live in Liberia knows the true facts about Taylor support to the RUF. Not you.

]]> By: Tracey Gurd http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/15/does-the-uk-offer-to-imprison-mr-taylor-if-convicted-mean-the-outcome-of-the-trial-is-predetermined/#comment-4397 Tracey Gurd Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:06:08 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4272#comment-4397 Dolo -- just a quick follow up. I actually just found out from my colleague, Alpha, that Courtenay Griffiths actually did a radio interview with John Cheeseman, a BBC World Service Trust journalist, on August 6 specifically denying rumors that he was deliberately poisoned. Though we cannot post the interview because of copyright reasons, here is how Mr. Cheeseman described the interview: "Lead Defence Lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths has refuted allegation by Charles Taylor's family in Monrovia that somebody tried to kill him (Griffiths) with food poison. Mr. Griffiths said he was responsible for his own illness. He said he ate something that he should not have eaten. Mr. Taylor alleged in court on Thursday that ECOMOG recruited some Liberian Combatants who fought in Sierra Leone." I hope that is helpful. Best, Tracey Dolo — just a quick follow up. I actually just found out from my colleague, Alpha, that Courtenay Griffiths actually did a radio interview with John Cheeseman, a BBC World Service Trust journalist, on August 6 specifically denying rumors that he was deliberately poisoned. Though we cannot post the interview because of copyright reasons, here is how Mr. Cheeseman described the interview: “Lead Defence Lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths has refuted allegation by Charles Taylor’s family in Monrovia that somebody tried to kill him (Griffiths) with food poison. Mr. Griffiths said he was responsible for his own illness. He said he ate something that he should not have eaten. Mr. Taylor alleged in court on Thursday that ECOMOG recruited some Liberian Combatants who fought in Sierra Leone.”

I hope that is helpful.

Best,
Tracey

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