Special Court for Sierra Leone, Taylor Trial, Update 110

Taylor Trial

Special Court for Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

English

The Defense called its second witness, Yankuba Samateh, a.k.a. Yanks Smythe, on Monday February 22, 2010. By the second week of March, the Defense had increased the pace at which it was calling witnesses, with six witnesses completing testimony during this reporting period. The witnesses testified primarily about Taylor’s time in Libya, the use of child soldiers, and how the RUF acquired guns and ammunition. Many witnesses during this period were granted protective measures, and much of their testimony took place in closed session. 

The legal issue of most importance during this reporting period involved Prosecution requests for access to Defense witness statements. With three of the witnesses who testified, the Prosecution argued that the summaries provided by the Defense were inadequate for the Prosecution to prepare its cross-examination of the witness. The Prosecution argued that there were inconsistencies between the witnesses’ in-Court testimony and the Defense summaries. On one occasion, the Court granted the Prosecution’s request, and on two, granted more time for preparation but denied disclosure of the witness statement.