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Quotes from Joseph Kamara, Acting Prosecutor Special Court for Sierra Leone

Author: SEM Contributor

In connection with the start of the Prosecution’s cross-examination of Charles Taylor, below are some answers from the Acting Prosecutor in response to questions posed to him from the public.

On the Start of Cross-Examination

Kamara: “After 13 weeks of direct examination, we are very happy to be beginning our cross. We’ve been waiting patiently for our turn to test Mr. Taylor on his version of events. That version is very different from the evidence the Prosecution presented.”

What to Expect From the Cross-Examination

The cross examination will be conducted by Brenda Hollis, Principal Trial Attorney for the Prosecution on the Taylor trial team.

Prosecution’s purpose/approach:

Kamara: “We intend to test Mr. Taylor’s version of events for the benefit of the judges. Our approach and strategy will become known as the cross-examination unfolds. What I can tell is that we will directly challenge Mr. Taylor in three ways – on the accuracy, the truthfulness and the completeness of his testimony.”

Timing

Kamara: “We’re going to try and be as efficient as we can, while still effectively challenging Mr. Taylor’s version of events. And we hope not to go on as long as the Defence did on their direct examination. Timing can depend on a number of factors, including how direct or evasive the Accused chooses to be on the stand.”

What Comes Next?

Background: After the end of cross-examination, the parties may choose to do a ‘re-direct’ and put additional questions to the Accused. Then the Defence will seek to have documents tendered into evidence. Then the Defence will call its other witnesses. They have not yet revealed how many they intend to call, nor the identity of these witnesses.

Kamara: “We hope that once Mr. Taylor is off the stand we’ll see a very focused and timely presentation by the Defence of their evidence.”

Background information: What has the Prosecution accused Charles Taylor of?

The charges that the Prosecution made against Charles Taylor in its indictment concern crimes committed by rebel groups and others in Sierra Leone after November 1996, during that country’s civil war. These crimes consist of War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and other serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.

The Prosecution accuses Mr. Taylor of planning and ordering the crimes, of directing, controlling, aiding and abetting those who carried out the crimes, and that he bears criminal responsibility for not preventing or punishing them.

The Prosecution presented its case over the course of 13 months, from January 2008 through February 2009. It presented documentary evidence and witness testimony.

Over 90 witnesses took the stand to give evidence of the charges against Mr. Taylor. These witnesses consisted of (i) Victims who told of the crimes they suffered directly or witnessed, including murder, crimes of sexual violence such as rape and sexual slavery, the use of child soldiers, amputations of limbs, and acts of terror; (ii) Insiders who testified to the linkages tying Mr. Taylor to the crimes; (iii) Experts.

Special Court for Sierra Leone

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One Comment on "Quotes from Joseph Kamara, Acting Prosecutor Special Court for Sierra Leone"

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