Comments on: Charles Taylor’s Defense Counsel, Courtenay Griffiths Answers Your Questions – Part I

By: Tracey Gurd

Tracey Gurd — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:29:43 +0000

Hi Sierra — I received a post from you at 7:51pm on March 20 which unfortunately I cannot post in its current form as it does not meet our policy of focussing on the issues and not other readers. If you could rephrase the first two sentences to focus on issues arising from the trial and resubmit your comment, I would be happy to post it.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.
Best,
Tracey

By: Harris K Johnson

Harris K Johnson — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:36:56 +0000

Justice LIB,

Like we say in Liberia, that God beating you so…oo my friend. But you will stay long inside. You better wake up and join Me, Hellen, Joe, Noka 5&4, Andrew Jlay, Jacon, Aki and the names could go on and on, but just look around you. There are more good people in Liberian than bad people.

Harris k Johnson

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:35:05 +0000

Justice LIB and ziggy Salis,

You all consistently refuse to see logic even when it is staring you in the face. So now Mr Griffiths a renown and reputable lawyer is making wild allegations without proof? So who is tell the truth YOU? Give us a break here and accept the truth for what it is.

Be fair here and stop being vicious for no reason. There is no need to be rude or insulting to this honourable man. He deserves all of our respect. You all are begining to sound like broken records now.

By: Justice LIB

Justice LIB — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:11:52 +0000

Mr. Griffiths has the right to say anything for now, what I see from his reponses are just wild allegations without no level of proof. Just like his client always accusing the West. How can he conclude that the prosecution eveidences are weak when he is not the judge. His client’s witness admitting to the fact that RUF rebels were recruited and trained in Liberia, is this a issue to blame the Western countries for?

What do you expect from Taylor’s lawyers, obviously he will say that his client is not guilty? Guilty party always pay well.

Always accusing western countries, in reality is Taylor a threat to western countries, what legacy that Taylor possesses that causing such uneasiness? Was Liberia under Taylor dominating the world stage in terms of addressing some of the global problems? So in reality what has this guy done to cause western countries to hate him, only because he give Liberian children guns on xmas eve in 1990 to destroyed their own country and Sierra Leone.

Obviously western countries will take the lead in prosecuting Taylor, they have the funds and will power because all other African leaders are the same with the exception of few.

By: Harris K Johnson

Harris K Johnson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:48:52 +0000

Well said and done Mr. Griffiths, you are one of the finest lawyers of our time. You can’t stop impressing me and the many other true Liberians. Anytime you say something we are anxious to hear more. History will surely remember and be kind to you even if this trial turns the other way. All we care is that you have uncovered the hidden story about Sierra Lone war. God will surely bless you and your children’s children. Have a good day sir, bravo to you and your team of lawyers.

Regards

Harris K Johnson

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:37:05 +0000

Fuad,
I bet you if the defence has as much paid a dime to any of their witnesses so far, the prosecution would have jumped on it and used it to accuse the defence of influencing their witness testimony with money. but as you can see so far no such accussation has been made by the prosecution. so in direct answer to your question, the defence has not paid any witnesses.

Now going by your name i suspect (and I may be wrong) that you are S/leonean. I wonder why you see nothing wrong with the role Tejan Kabbah, Hinga Norman and co played in the conflict but you only see what the RUF did. Also, you need to take into consideration that the RUF and the AFRC cases have been concluded and no where during the trials was Mr taylor linked with either group. Now in Mr taylor’s trial, you have linked him with the RUF and the AFRC. what we simply ask of you and this prosecution is provide the EVIDENCE beyond reasonable doubt. this you have been unable to do thus far. I wonder if even Ms Hollis and Mr Koumjian are themselves convinced of Mr Taylor’s guilt by the evidence they have presented.

By: Ziggy Salis

Ziggy Salis — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:49:06 +0000

Mr. Griffith shows fears in the upcoming faith of his client Charles Taylor, when in his questions & answers provided us with keys facts: 1. both the procesution & and defense has the right to an appeal, and that the trial judges are under pressure, and he doesn’t trust the appeal judges if the trial is extend to that point, he was very invaisive and did not answer questions such as representing CT in an appeal process if he was to be found quility or acquitted,2. his accusations that prosecutions bribe witnesses, and fails to identified them or what stept he has taken to put the court on notice. 3. another finger pointing at the US,GB & everywhere else but to Charles Taylor who in testimonies has admitted to lies and inconsistances while trying to cover his evil deals QUILTY it is!

By: j.fallah menjor

j.fallah menjor — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:30:15 +0000

On March 18, 2010 at 6:11 pm, J. fallah menjor said:
Ms Tracey, Sorry that I am posting my response to Defense layer’s answer to “cost as wate” on trial of charles taylor under March 17 comment post since i could not under March 18th.
With all due respect, Sir; you mentioned about how this trial ia a waste of time and money, especially for the people of sierra Leone, and “rule of law being used here to disguise real neo-colonialist”, including your firm beliefs, it appears,that trial did not necessary have to take place in the Hague. However, Sir,you did not make mention, or elaborate on ’security reasons’ that caused the decision to move the trial to the Hague, in the first place! Why would you ignore such basic reason in favor of ‘ neo-colonialist interest” being formost reason? What economic gains Sierra Leone would have had if trial was held “in a fortified oasis in the middle of Freetown?” Would there have been more money paid to Riot Police to break up fights between Pros and Cons, or more deployment of UN peace keepers to bring more $ to the economy? There seems to be insentivity on your part, Sir, to ignore such grave issue in favor of defending your client, regardless of how much justice you intend to see in this case! The victims need justice as well as your cliet, tayloy!

By: Aki

Aki — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:59:29 +0000

Courtenay Griffiths,
Bravo keep up the good work. There are those on this blog who just thought you were defending Mr. Taylor but you believed he was guilty. You have proven them all wrong and we see in your heart you feel this truly is an unjust trial set up to please the powers that be.

By: Aki

Aki — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:52:38 +0000

Faud,

For your information Courtenay Griffiths’ wife is half Sierra Leonean.