Defense lawyers for Charles Taylor today concluded the direct examination of the former Liberian president’s 20th defense witness. The witness’s direct examination was concluded mostly in private session as defense lawyers focused on discussing certain issues and submission of exhibits that, if discussed in public, would disclose the identity of the witness and the identities of other protected prosecution witnesses.
The witness, DCT-008, a former radio operator in Mr. Taylor’s Special Security Services (SSS) unit has testified mainly about radio communications that took place between RUF commanders in Sierra Leone and members of Mr. Taylor’s security forces, including former SSS Director Benjamin Yeaten.
As the direct examination of the witness was concluded this morning, prosecutors made an application that the judges issue an order for defense lawyers to disclose all written statements that have been made by the witness to defense investigators. Chief Prosecutor Brenda Hollis told the judges that the witness’s testimony has gone contrary to most of the things stated in his written statement. The statements disclosed so far have been grossly inadequate, Ms. Hollis told the court.
Ms. Hollis said to the judges, “In general, what we have is a witness whose testimony is totally different from what he had told the defense.”
“We ask that you order the defense to disclose the full statements immediately,” the Chief Prosecutor told the judges.
Defense counsel for Mr. Taylor, Morris Anyah, objected to the prosecution application, telling the judges that the prosecution has “no automatic rights to the defense witness statements” and that because the prosecution had not established the irreparable damage that the non-disclosure of the witness’s statements would cause, there is no need for the order to be granted.
“The prosecution is not entitled to disclosure, they have not met the necessary legal steps and the witness’s statements should not be disclosed.”
After retiring for about 30 minutes to deliberate on the issue, the judges ruled against the prosecution application, stating that prosecutors had not given sufficient justification for the disclosure of all the statements made by the witness.
“We agree with the defense that the prosecution has not satisfied the requirement that the witness’s statements be disclosed,” presiding judge of the Trial Chamber Justice Julia Sebutinde said.
“We dismiss the [prosecution] application,” she concluded.
After the delivery of the judges’ ruling on the issue, prosecutors made another application that they be given until tomorrow (Friday) morning to prepare for the commencement of the cross-examination of the witness.
Defense lawyers stated that they have no objection to the prosecution application, and the application was granted.
The court took an early adjournment and the cross-examination of DCT-008 commences on Friday.
WHO LET THE DOG OUT?
4 ur eyes only,
The entire case is a scam just to steal Liberia’s resources since President Taylor will not give it to them cheap. Scam case.
The Defense Should Follower the Money Trail
It appears that the most gravitating defense evidence going into the final stage of this trial comes from DCT-097 since he has given a defense investigator color copies of seventeen MoneyGram receipts showing payments being sent from five different Prosecution employees to him in various West African Countries, during the period of 8 April 2004 to 9 June 2006, in amounts such as $2000, €1552, 8,989,200 Ghanaian Cedis, and 526,269 CFA Francs.
That this allowance stopped when DCT-097 met with the Prosecution for a final time in Senegal in 2006 and the Prosecution told DCT-097 that they were not getting what they needed from him.
On 21 July 2010, a Defense lawyer and a Defense investigator met with DCT-097 and interviewed him, partially in respect to his interaction and cooperation with the Prosecution. On this occasion, DCT-097, inter alia, told the Defense the following:
i) That he was first approached by the Prosecution in 2004 through Alex Yearsley of Global Witness;
iii) That the person who put Alex Yearsley of Global Witness in touch with OCT-097 was [Prosecution Witness TFl-151];
iv) That the statement he (DCT-097) gave to Global Witness in 2001 or 2002 related to DCT-097’s involvement in trading diamonds for the RUF in Monrovia from 2000;
v) That he told Global Witness that the RUF were not involved in trading diamonds with Charles Taylor or the Liberian Government, but that this was the story Global Witness wanted OCT-097 to confirm;
viii) That the Prosecution wanted OCT-097 to confirm what they said they had heard from other sources – that DCT-097 was the main RUF person who carried diamonds to Charles Taylor;
ix) That after meeting with and while being interviewed by various members of the Prosecution (including David Crane, Gilbert Morissette, John Berry, Maggie, and an Australian), the Prosecution paid OCT-097 a monthly “allowance” of approximately $1200 a month from sometime in 2004 until sometime in 2006;
On 14 June 2010, the Prosecution disclosed nine statements and/or correspondences in relation to DCT-097 dated: 27 May 2004, 28 May 2004, 11 October 2004, 14 February 2005, 22 February 2005, 28 November 2005, 15 January 2006. One disclosure was undated.
It will be interesting to see how the prosecution shall react to this witness and his evidence of receiving almost $30,000 for his sort after collaboration; considering of course his connection with Prosecution Witness TFl-151 should have some impact on the case.
See link: http://www.sc-sl.org/scsl/public/SCSL-03-01-Taylor/SCSL-03-01-T-1039.PDF
Is there a REASON why Alpha didn’t include any of this in his writting today???
Good will previl over evil they like it or not, Mr. Taylor will walk as a free man. Global Witness team is nothing less then a global lair.
Harris K Johnso
Harris K Johnson,
If Taylor is acquitted, it won’t be because he is a good man but rather it would be because the prosecution would have failed in presenting their case . (HYPOTHETICAL).
Taylor and good in the same sentence is an oxymoron.
Damaging evidence to the prosecution. The lies are coming out….
Noko5, Jose, King gray, Helen,
Please help me because tracey and alpha did not. I have not seen any cross examination of Issa Sesay. Did it happen or will it happen in the future?
thank you.
Hey Andrew,
Issa was cross examined; I will get back to you with the infos..
http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/category/daily/. This is it Andrew..
And we seek JUSTICE???? How can the judges with said EVIDENCES produced today CONVICT??? This was one of their MAIN MAN in the game…..and to see MONEY GRAMS RECEIPTS??
As we look at the players in the background….we wonder if they are what they say they are….GLOBAL WITNESS and ANMESTY INT’L….their names have popped up in the case not as a FACT FINDING PARTIES but working for the US and the British gov’ts……OH WHAT A WORLD WE LIVE IN.
Yes, it was GLOBAL WITNESS that spread the news about the 5 BILLIONS in various banks and we have yet to see a SINGLE DEPOSIT SLIP….
noko,
you guys know something that I don;t. Why is it that no one is helping me with the outcome of the cross examination of issa sesay?
Andrew,
Issa did a BIG HELP for the defense overall…there were some SPOTS that were shaky but he HELPED the defense more than the prosecutors…..
Can anyone tell me if this was in a US court, wouldn’t this case been toast out considering this kinds of Evidence. Paying Witnesses
It is natural to give some one a token in order to obtain facts if this person is seen to be a relevant source of these facts. If the person decides to conceal these facts after making away with the money it is left to convictions as in the case of DCT-097 but it dose not weaken the prosecution’s case or make GLOBAL witness a lier . GET this Taylor supporters.
Vem,
Payments by the prosecution are limited to expenses, allowances and fees incurred by attendance at court or elsewhere in connection with giving evidence. This includes attendance not specifically to give evidence, such as a visit made for familiarisation purposes
Witnesses who attend to give evidence will be paid whether or not they actually give evidence. There is only one exception. A witness who attends but refuses to give evidence is not entitled to be paid.
That said’but is the amount given to cover expenses and allowances so much that it encourage the witness to tell lies?
The damage is done and the challenge is thrown. The prosecution must abandon this useless undertaking and admit defeat.
As it is said in our little Liberia, “small shame is better than big shame”. I hope the likes of the Kissi Fallah from Lofa (if real) will take due note and govern themselves accordingly. GOD willing, CGT will be back.
We are here 2, you are right about Kissi Fallah, and God willing charles will never return to the continent of Africa! I am proud of my Kissi heritage and thanks you have finally recognized that I am Native Liberian, we are here 2, they were here 2!
jfallah,
There are kissi in Guinea, and Sierra Leone also. Which side do you stand? Being a Kissi does not mean that you are native Liberian as you think. Please read your history well, Mr. Taylor is coming back soon.
Harris K Johnson
IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS taylor will return to liberia, Harry k. Johnson,to rule the defunct NPFL! Why are you so dumb to reality about this case? Reason is best known to you Harris K. Johnson taylor.For now, even Big B has come close to reality in his today’s posting! You are the only one in your “fantasy camp” it seems.
The defense has filed a motion for admission of autopsy reports which show that Enoch Dogolea, former Vice President of Liberia died of hepatitis, a natural cause which contradicts the allegation made by Witness TFI-399 (Joseph Zig Zag Marzah). This report should impeach marzah’s testimony.
See link: http://www.sc-sl.org/scsl/public/SCSL-03-01-Taylor/SCSL-03-01-T-1061.PDF
This is a fake case. That’s why I always refer this court to be an inherently flawed court. False prosecution. Where are the big international media people who were trumpeting the false Naomi Campbell blood diamond story? This is a shame. Folks, there is not a follicle of evidence sufficient enough to convict this innocent man. “False Case, Bribery case, and corruption case.”
Look… I’m sick and tired of this trial. This is just pure Stupidness… the court could have used this money to do something good for the ppl of SL… now you see that they don’t give a damn abt the ppl of SL… They could have easliy ened this whole thing.. We already know the outcome…. Why go through all this money and Time when we all kno if the west wants this man dead, he will be Dead…. i’m tired… i’m sick of my fellow Africans always allowing themselves to be used and abuse….
Why nothing about this issue of Money Gram was recorded in the summary post? This is my last post on this site anyway. It lacks transparency to the highest degree! What a big shame on Global Witness and Amnesty International? These are the same neo colonist that are parading the world preaching fairness and equal rights. This case is about RACISM and nothing else!!!
Daniel B,
These people always work well with our educated fools in africa,The place is full of men that are so educated and at the same time so naive and unintelliegnt…
We have some seriously issues!!!
Is it becuase most of the chattering classes in sierra leone and liberia were born in colonial times?
I THINK LATER PRESENDENT TAYLOR HAS BE TO SENTENCED TO DEATH BECAUSE DURING THE CRISIS HIM GOES AGAINST THE HUMAN RIGHT, OUR SISTER , BROTHER , AND MOTHER WERE RAPED AND OUR PROPERTIES WAS TAKEN WHERE FROM US, SO IN MY UNDRESTANDING THE WILL HIM TREATED THE CITIZENS HIM HAS TO GOE UNDER THAT PROCESS BY THE INTRENATIONAL COMMUNITIES.
FURTHER MORE THE ISSUE PERTAINING ABOUT DIAMOND TAYLOE HAS TO BE ASK THROUGFULLY BY THEIR INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS.
THANKS THAT IS MY LITTLE IDEAL
I REMAIN POSTED
Dear King Gray,
Thank you for your comment. Can you please resend and provide a link to where you received the quoted information from? We will be glad then to post your comment.
Kind regards,
Taegin
Well I notice this site is gaving us half of the information,anyway, where is the fallah that comment on everything,tell me about the money grams,please I am not Taylor supporter but I believe in fair justice,no evidence,then set the man free,that my code,fallah.
If he Taylor refused to accept the actions of his demon forces , the NPFL, in Liberia but did only when he was in the race to become president in Liberia would he ever admit his actions in Sierra Leone ? I still await justice for the untimely deaths of my sister, brother, and father.
VAMARA KAMARA,
IT’S SAD THAT YOUR BROTHER, SISTER AND FATHER WERE KILLED! BUT THAT’S HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SIERRA LEONE; YOU SHOULD BE ASKING FOR JUSTICE THE RIGHT WAY! THE NPFL FORCES ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN OF NIMBA COUNTY WERE PAYING BACK WHAT SOME OF YOUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS DID TO THEIR MUMS, DADS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!!!
I CAN STILL PICTURE MR. SAMUEL G. RICHARDS BEING BEARRY ALIVE 20 METERS FROM THE HAND PUMP ON THE MVTC CAMPUS IN MONROVIA BY A BROTHER OF, ULIMO -K LEADER MR. KROMAH. INFACT, IT WAS MR. RICHARDS FROM NIMBA AND ANOTHER YOUNG MAN FROM KISSI TRIBE IN LOFA COUNTY. THEIR REMAINS ARE LYING LESS THAN 4 FT BELOW THE EARTH SURFACE.
THEREFORE, THE DEATH OF YOUR FAMILY IN LIBERIA HAS NOTHING TO WITH DIAMONDS COMING SIERRA LEONE TO MR. TAYLOR IN MONROVIA OR MR. TAYLOR SENDING ARMS TO RUF FOR DIAMONDS!
I DIDN’T MEAN TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS BUT JUSTICE SHOULD BE DONE TO ALL MEN IN THE RIGHT WAY AS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Jocone
The truth is very hard to hear. However, we must continue to repeat the truth publicly so that people can feel the pain that you and others are and have felt. Then we must decide no more and work together to bring real peace and prosperity to our African countries.
Today, the testimony touched on the ignitor of the conflict in Liberia, Samuel Doe. It seems out of place, yet the SL conflict, is in my opinion, may or not be related to the unstableness that was introduced to that region in Africa. Remember, before Doe that region was stable and African leaders were stepping up. In fact, peace accords were being signed when the indictment of CT was released. I remain concerned about the timing of the indictments and who and who was not indicted.
p/b
thanks for sharing.
I believe Charles Taylor defense wants to use DCT-097 during the Appreal process in this case. In such it will be over proven that the Prosecutor did bribe witnesses to testify against Taylor.
Excuse me please readers. How did you know Falla is a kissi. Ok the generic name Fallah is used by Kissis right? Is it possible to assume that names used on this site are not real names and that they should not be taken to isolate a class of people or individuals? suppose I were to use the name “Kamara” Flomo or Karpeh to speak for Taylor or against Taylor. Would it be right if you being a Taylor support to harass, intimidate, or even speculate that the tribe or tribes using these names are not supporting or supporting Taylor? my point is that we should refrain from such speculations. this is where personal hatred begins and whether Falla is a kissi or some camouflage does not matter here. I think it is wise not to identify supporters or non supporters of CT by name or tribe unless one is willing to do so.
That is the simple reason why we have protected witnesses because they chose to do so themselves. I am not aspiring that CT is not worthy to be identify by him but that the case in question is sensitive and there are many speculations until the verdict is passed. your input in case analysis have been great and i feel privilege to read all your comments.
SASCO,
MAYBE YOU’RE NEW ON THIS SITE BUT FALLAH HIMSELF TOLD ME WHILE RESPONDING TO ONE OF MY POST BACK IN 2009 WHILE I WAS IN IRAQ. INFACT, IT WAS DURING THE TIME MAZAH WAS TESTIFYING. DURING THAT, THE WITNESS STATED THAT HE AND MR. TAYLOR ATE HUMAN HEART AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF BECOMING MEMBER OF THE PORO SOCIETY.
FALAH THEN SAID THAT HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE PORO SOCIETY. I ASKED HIM IF HE ATE HUMAN HEART AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF BECOMING MEMBER OF THE PORO SOCIETY? HE ANSWERED BY SAYING THAT HE, JOINED THE KISSI PORO SOCIETY WHICH OF COURSE IS NOT DIFFERENT FORM THE OTHERS! SO FALAH HIM SELF TOLD US THAT HE’S KISSI AND THAT HE LEFT LIBERIA IN THE EARLY 80S FOR THE UNITED STATES.
@ Sasco
I understand your point. However, I remain concerned about the use of secret witnesses regardless of the credible fear. if you are afraid to testify then don’t. Moreover, how are we to distinguish whether the witness is afraid or just being cunning. In fact, the judges can’t truly read to mind of these secret witnesses. We are on a WORLD stage with this hearing. REALLY, we are using secret witness…this can not stand, in my opinion of course.
Last, this tribe this trbe that native this native that must stop, i’m sure you agree based on your comments. Until we stop the divisive labeling of our selves and others the road to peace and prosperity will remain out of our reach.
p/b
Charlie Kilo,
The Appeal process doesn’t work like that. Any issue that is not raise in the case proper can’t be raised in the appeal. Besides, why will the Defend want to wait for an appeal if they have a witness that can win the case for them?
I think the Defend is playing safe. They are afraid to replay the prosecution VS Naomi Campbell.
People should get it right that this case have nothing to do with the war or what happen in Liberia,so please not because u find the man guilty of the Liberian war,so he should pay or be punish for the SierraLonne war,vem i am responding to ur comment.