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Disorder in the Court: Saddam's Trial

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Mon Dec 05, 2005 at 09:30:38 AM EST
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A feisty defendant, an outspoken defense lawyer and a judge trying, and failing in large measure, to maintain control of the courtroom. Day one of the witness testimony in the trial of Saddam Hussein did not go exactly as planned. Some highlights:

Defense lawyers staged a short walkout when the Judge didn't allow them two minutes to attack the legitimacy of the court. Later, they were allowed to make their argument. Saddam insisted he is not afraid of execution but lost his temper several times.

After the defense lawyers left, Saddam, shaking his right hand, told the judge: "You are imposing lawyers on us. They are imposed lawyers. The court is imposed by itself. We reject that."

Saddam and Ibrahim then chanted "Long live Iraq, long live the Arab state." Ibrahim stood up and shouted: "Why don't you just execute us and get rid of all of this!"

When the judge explained that he was ruling in accordance with the law, Saddam replied: "This is a law made by America and does not reflect Iraqi sovereignty."

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    Disorder in the Court: Saddam's Trial | 4 comments (4 topical)
    Re: Disorder in the Court: Saddam's Trial (none / 0) (#1)
    by learned hound on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    Talk about tough clients and being in a hostile court! Makes my usual defendants look like pussy cats, and makes the local judges look almost balanced and reasonable.

    Re: Disorder in the Court: Saddam's Trial (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    Just like most everything else in this friggin war... a joke

    Re: Disorder in the Court: Saddam's Trial (none / 0) (#3)
    by Peter G on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    I have co-counseled two cases with former US Atty General (LBJ Admin), turned progressive, antiwar and anti-imperialist activist Ramsey Clark. One was a pro bono political case (Plowshares Eight anti-nuclear direct action), and the other a fee-paid, white-collar federal appeal. The man is one of the greatest lawyers I have ever encountered, totally kind, decent and fearless, as well as brilliant and innovative. Whatever is the hardest case or person to defend is the one he figures needs the strongest possible defense, and he wants to offer assistance for the principle of the thing. I'm sure there's nothing Saddam ever did that Ramsey would personally support, but there he is, standing up for the universal, even-handed applicability of international law, and risking his life to do it. Even though I can't say I agree with him on certain political issues, he's one of my heroes.

    Re: Disorder in the Court: Saddam's Trial (none / 0) (#4)
    by Johnny on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:43 PM EST
    My goodness, a lot of drama in this kangaroo court. Seriously, I have the utmost respect for anyone who associates themselves with this trial... For some of them it turned out to be a death sentence.

    Disorder in the Court: Saddam's Trial | 4 comments (4 topical)