Trial Reports
Trial Report: Jan. 7 - Feb. 1, 2008
Trial Report: Feb. 4 - Mar. 14, 2008
Trial Report: Mar. 31 - Apr. 30, 2008
Trial Report: May 5 - May 22, 2008
Supplemental Trial Report: May 1 - June 2, 2008
Trial Report: Jan. 7 - Feb. 1, 2008
Trial Report: Feb. 4 - Mar. 14, 2008
Trial Report: Mar. 31 - Apr. 30, 2008
Trial Report: May 5 - May 22, 2008
Supplemental Trial Report: May 1 - June 2, 2008
February 12, 2008 at 12:10 am
Dear sir/madame,
It is unfaire the way you stop the first step you took in giving full details about the trial.I will like to see the questions and answers of the prosecutor to the witnesses and also the defense questions and answers to the witnesses.the summaries doesnt help at all to know what is happening in court.let be faire and do the right thing.I hope you will get back to what you were doing before.
David
February 13, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Yes I too am very disappointed at the way you all are reporting the details of this trial. You started off well why did you change? Are you being put under pressure by the court not to give the full details? This is unfair and most uninteresting. If we wanted summaries, we would have listened to the news.
WE WANT THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN THE FORMAT YOU USED BEFORE!!!! PLEASE GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!!!
February 18, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Dear sir/madame
thinks for the summary, but you need to help us with the details of this trial. it will be faire to us if we have the story 100% so as to help other out there. I am a Liberia who want to gave the story as it happen; so please gave the story as it happen,that is (question and answers of the prosecutor to the witnesses and also defense questions and answersto to the witnesses).
February 20, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Thank you for your comments, and we will continue to consider the best way to cover the trial. In the meantime, if you would like more detail, you can access the trial transcripts by clicking on the links on the “Daily Summary” page or on the Special Court website at http://www.sc-sl.org/taylor-transcripts.html.
February 23, 2008 at 11:34 am
Folks,
This is just another TRICK to blind us to the ACTUAL WORDS of the case. One listens or reads the prosecutor questioning and you conclude Mr. Taylor is GUILTY, but when the defense drills the witnesses on their own words, total HOT AIR were put out by the witnesses….YOU WONDER HOW.
I guess this site was put up thinking there would have been NO ONE WATCHING. The SO CALL EXPERTS don’t response to our concerns or even come out and do their TAKES on the case so far…..WHY I WONDER.
Now it has come down to someone telling us their POINT OF VIEWS and we should ALL accept them and go along…..WHAT A DISGRACE.
We were told OPEN CASE FOR ALL OF AFRICA TO SEE…..FAIRNESS, but what is troubling is the CLOSENESS we are seeing. If these WITNESSES were NOT up to the task of testifying in BROAD DAYLIGHT, why did they accept the BRIBES???
Noko4
February 23, 2008 at 11:37 am
Webmaster.
Can you please give us a REASONAL REASON why some witnesses are shield??? Someone LIBERTY is at stake and the court is playing HIDE and SEEK…WHY???
Noko4
February 26, 2008 at 2:23 am
I am waiting to see justice, I am talking about real justice that will exempt Mr. Taylor from the so-called charges. The world is being fooled by this so called “International court”. What is the purpose of this court? Why should they waste Public money on a case that you have given verdict to before even Taylor was arrested? why are you pretending to be working while you are just a bounch of foolish stupid idiots who are seeking money. You called that president of a nation a conman! I am awaiting justice. Mr. Taylor, please know that you have the voice of the people and even if you were to come home today your return will be grater than that of President Bush’s visit to Liberia. we will sing your song, a real song of victory.
Someone may think that I am a dreamer, but hay, we are not dreamers, and we will not sit and sing Kumbaya my Lord Kumbaya, while others are percuting the son of man! Taylor should be released now!
February 27, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Noko4,
Witnesses who fear being targeted or that the court finds may be targeted as a result of being a witness for the court, regardless of which side they are testifying for, have the right to have their identity shielded from the public. However, their identity is disclosed to the other side well before they testify (for example defense council is aware of the identity of shielded prosecutorial witnesses) in order to allow all sides to be adequately prepared for examination and cross examination. Mr. Taylor’s right to a defense and to be able to question witnesses providing testimony against him are still fully upheld, it is just that the identity of the witnesses are not made public to people outside the court for their own safety.
This may seem unfair to you as you would like to know who is saying what, but retribution killings are a real concern whenever you have a trial as controversial as this one. Witness protection has been used at the ICTY and the ICTR to protect both prosecution and defense witnesses. It is the interest of justice that people be able to testify and tell their story without risking their lives. Otherwise, people would likely lie to please whoever it is that they are scared of and any verdict that came from the proceedings, whether guilty or not guilty, would not be a valid judgement.
March 9, 2008 at 10:46 am
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have just learned that Charles Taylor (former president) of Liberia is now moving as free man in the Hague?is this is true, where are you going to leave my family members who were shot at in the town hut July 1990? I am talking about my family that were killed in Barkiedu town when taylor men went there and they were offered three Thousand and even told that our people were not interested in war, only to be told that the cows and the money including the town were now owned by NPFL Forces.
When my people started praying, the fighters of the NPFL opened fire and killed a large numbers of people.And what about the children who were recruted by the NPFL under the pretext that there parents were killed by the late pres, Doe Kranh Government soldiers? or children who were deprived of the future that is constituted by their legal rights as Liberians.and other foreign families and children who were deprived of their rights and today they have no parents, children, and home to be proud of as the rest of Liberians and sierra leone and Guinean who were killed in the war brought by Talor?Let us think and let the world do it work. we had all these good thinking but we continue to support Mr.Taylor as he continues to destoryed thecountry and other neighboring countries as well as its people.
March 16, 2008 at 1:03 am
Not to list too many words, let me say it like this:
I am a Liberian who grew up with the War we speak of now.
The man on trial today is a pure Agent of the Devil himself; I mean Satan that was driven from Heaven by God.
Of all leaders West Africa ever produced, this Taylor we speak of is the most wickest of all.
The issue of displaying Human parts at Charles Check points during the war is something everyone of us Liberians who didn’t leave Liberia during the war saw on too many occations around us.
Let me say here today that Sierra Leonean should forgive Liberia where their Problems was planed and came from. A lot of Liberians saw the days when Trucks filled with Charles Taylor’s Rebles pass by heading for Sierra Leonean, which was called Kuwait by then; I was 12 years old when I saw this SanKor in Bong Mines during his days of preparing to start the devilish act like his sponsor was already doing.
Something I will like the World to not forget; Prince Johnson who is also responsible for mass graves; like the one in Bong Mines, which we call Prince Johnson Grave Yard; what about the way the President, Samuel Doe was cut to pieces the same before camaras, the media and eye witnesses?
March 28, 2008 at 4:45 pm
It’s wonderful to have this chance on your site to make my contribution to the on going trial of my ex-president. As I read the link on “Who is Charles Taylor?” I was not surprise by the Q&A assertion of Charles taylor given by Human rights watch. These are organizations that are being financed by the US & Bristish governments and would insinuate what their donors wants. this is to say that Human right watch view is completely bias and lack substance.They does not know who is Charles taylor.What human right watch should write to the reading audience is what they think Charles taylor is and stop creating him as a monster.
I want to butress calls by others calling for the full details of the Taylor trail(witness testimonies & defense cross examination)because we have interest in this trail and would want to see if this court can fairly dispense justice; though he has already been condemned.
April 10, 2008 at 6:26 am
Hi My people,
Have you forgotten so soon? Do you remember what Charles Taylor (Killer) did to the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone? Is because you little minded people speaking in favor enjoy the wealth of Liberian resources and side line the majority? God is in Heaven who sees over us all, you Bangura, you know, I know and the Liberia people know how long Charles taylor and his Son kept us in slavery except some of you who were enjoying the Liberian and Sierra Leone resources with out thinking there is Justice. Ninty nine days for rough and one day for the master, that is the case with Taylor. Monkey thought he will not come down but fine shot brought him down. I am sick and Tired of your senseless comment you make infavor of the man who terrorize the whole west African Nations. If I have the means I will go testify against him because I work with him and I know some of his dirty deeds.
Willy
April 10, 2008 at 7:43 am
Hi Bangura,
You one of those who enjoyed the wealth of the Liberian and Sierra Leonean resources. I can’t believe you advocating for fair justice for Charles Taylor, did Charles G. Tayalor give fair trials to any body? Did we ever have Freedom of speech or freedom of the press in Liberia and Sierra Leone? It sound stupid for some of my African brothers to still be advocating for the EVIL DEVIL to come back. Boy, town trip is not for rat alone. Charles Taylor planned and implemented the killing of our African brothers, sister, mothers and fathers and you want him to go free? What more edvidence do you want? How many little minded people like you do we have in Liberia? If I have the means I’ll go and testify against him for the crime he committed against the west African countries like Sierra Leone, Ivory coast and my home country Liberia. Ninty nine days for rough, one day for the master. The theift at night is caught in the day in some body elses soup pot. Once you started it from home and you did not listen to your greedy parents advice, you will take it outside.
April 12, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Hey, did i hear that witness live and eat together in the Hauge and yet testify against one person(Charles Taylor)?. I think these people are not serious about what they are doing to bring justics to vitims of Sierra Leone war and at the same time give Mr. Taylor free and fair trial inline with intertional justics. If this is truth, i suggest that the court stop wasting time and set Mr.Taylor free in order to save the court from disgrace.
Harris
April 15, 2008 at 1:37 pm
hey this site is about analysis’s about the trial and not about you personal view those of you guys
that are writing all these things don’t even know what a trial report is, it is not to write you personnel view but to give a suggestion and talk about the procedural and method in which both side used. Mr willy these are allegation that can or cannot prove so stop making theses comment you will sound simple. fofana mr taylor is charge for murder so he can not move around his crime is not bailable
April 17, 2008 at 4:04 am
Kimberly,
I knew the REASON but the court SHUTS DOWN whenever these DO SHOW ME get on the stand. WHY??? Why can the camera just pan whoever that is asking the questions or give us a LIVE AUDIO FEED instead of CLOSING OUT THE PUBLIC TO THEIR TESTIMONY???
That was my concern.
Noko4
April 18, 2008 at 12:04 pm
hey williams stop those wild allegation where are the sept 18 coup plotter they are all alive where is Hassan Bility he is alive where is samurai he is also alive kofi wood is also alive all news paper operating now operated then, how come you say there was was no justice do you remember that the press used to report charles taylor family affairs in the newspaper do remember that it was reported once that charles taylor bet his wife once and who got arrested for that you no i don’t think so stop the lies and malice against this man ooh! and to remind you he is not charge for and crime he committed in Liberia please be mature.
I thank if you know more you can talk to the prosecutor they i look for people with evidence so you could be useful MR Williams
I see a very difficult task here for the prosecutor, because their witness account keep changing because each witness give his own account of the invasion of freetown Issac mongor said that the operation paid youself was giving by sam boakrie and today witness is saying that the order came from jonney paul kromah if you were a judge how will you compromise these witness statement.
In another account one witness said that they broke into a bank and stole money and diamond it was abu keita and this witness is saying that the took money and he did not mention diamond how will you compromise that each want of them is saying that they were present and not in the case when they will say they heard it let there prosecutor try harder with moses Blah i for see even much more problem then answer for the prosecuter .
I will say .now that we are watching
BYE
ZOBON
April 18, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Thanks for covering up the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Now you are taking the right steps.
You see most of the witnesses are liars and for that when it comes to questions and answers , they become confused.
Please try to screened the trial for a fair play.
April 18, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Zobon,
Don’t waste your time with Williams. He obviously has been out of Liberia during Taylor’s presidency to make such allegations. Radio Monrovia, New Democrat and a host of other media all thrived during the regime of Mr.Taylor. These two media outlets and others were all anti-Taylor and were allowed to operate.
April 19, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I was shocked to have heard that witnesses are housed together with the prosecutors. And this bets my imagination. Is this a semblence of fair trial? I probabaly beleive that Judge Doherty would have given this serious consideration and sent a strong signal to the Court registry to desist from such acts; as this creates serious cridibility problem. If the Registry complain of not having sufficient funds to housed witnesses in different locations then they should take the trail back to Freetown or dismiss the case. They are cognizance of the fact that tring President Taylor requires lots of funding and they should insist on their donors to make the funding available. Housing of witnesses and prosecutors together suggest that the witnesses are being tutor by the Prosecutor as you can tell from the cross examination that every action on the part of these individual witnesses was order by Mr. Taylor. Another thing that bet my imagination is the fact that the court will continue to hear evidence base on hear say. be reminded that the essence of the trail is to establish the fact that Mr. Taylor organize the “Joint criminal entrprise” and single handedly directed its course of actions that resulted into “mayhem, rape, tuture etc. but instead, for example witness Alimamy being asked who received the diamonds that were being mined? he answer by saying it is superman and insinuate futher that superman claimed that the diamonds was taken to mosquito for onward delivery in exchange for arms and ammunition from President Taylor. Now,this account is base on hear say. And its not what the prosecutor witness should be telling the world,instead he should be saying that in his presence the diamonds were deliver to mosquito and in his presence the diamonds subsequently delivered to Mr. Taylor for arms and ammunition. if they claim that they have overwehming evedence. Hence, to make this trial credible, the Court registry should desist from housing both prosecutors and witnesses together.its not a good start.
Gemenie Hardy
April 22, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Gemenie Hardy,
To clarify, prosecution witnesses are not living together with prosecutors. The testimony of protected witness TF1-516 was that prosecution witnesses are housed together. This is not organized by the prosecution, but rather by the court’s neutral administrative arm, the Registry. When the defense presents its case, defense witnesses also will be housed together. Court sources told charlestaylor.org that this is done to save money.
April 22, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Are you Official Spokeman for the Special Court? if so please tell the administrative arm of the court to look for more money. I don’t housing withesses together is a wise thing. Even in my village back here in Liberia, witnesses are seated not together in any given case. The trial of Mr.Taylor is very important to us so please stop playing games.
April 22, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Harris K. Johnson,
This website is independent of the Special Court and the court has no say in its content. You can learn more about this website under the “Who We Are” link at the top of every page. The Special Court’s website is http://www.sc-sl.org.
April 23, 2008 at 8:48 am
Thanks, but we are sick and tired of hearing about all these nasty things that happened during the war in Sierra Leone. We all know that there was killing, looting,rape all over the place. Even Mr. Taylor like any other person knows that some of those witnesses are responsible for crimes commited against their own people.What puzzeled me is that the witnesses are not ashame to state in open court those evil things that they did to their own mothers, sisters,Fathers, and brothers. What we really want to see is Taylor’s direct link to these crimes. Is the Special Court going to punish Mr. Taylor base on hear say? I wonder.
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
April 28, 2008 at 11:35 am
Again another withess, Alimamy is being cross-examined by Mr. Taylor’s Defense Counsel. Alimamy took the stand for five days telling lairs about Mr. Taylor’s involment in Sierra Leone without asking to use the bathroom in hours. But as soon as Defense Counsel started to ask questions the witness started to be uneasy and confused requesting to use the bathroom after every three questions from the defense. little that some these witnesses knew that they were to meet other people that think differently about Mr. Taylor’s allege support for rebels in Sierra Leone.No my friend, this court will not rule on hear say cause we are watching. Mr. Taylor requested you to come to Monrovia cause UN and ECOWAS asked him to do so. That dose not mean that he has a direct link with you crazy people of Sierra Leone. Be a man tell the court that you are runing away from justice. You are making up stories base on hear say for your freedom, remember that the Bible says thou shall not lair.
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
April 29, 2008 at 9:11 am
hey webmaster please try and bring the proceeding back in question and answer style so we can read for ourself thank you bye
zobon
April 29, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Goodbye Mr. Alimamy Bobson, the women that you rapped are waiting for you at you church door. Mr. False prophet!
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
May 7, 2008 at 9:36 am
Webmaster,
How much are she saving??? Will such practice stand in any Western court, HOUSING ALL WITNESSES IN ONE HOUSE??? And please ask the court why is it this trial isn’t been heard by a jury??
Noko4
May 7, 2008 at 9:39 am
Webmaster,
Just wondering……why are we assigned COLOR BLOCK?? I see GREEN to my name and different colors to others.
Noko4
May 7, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Noko4,
There was an upgrade in the WordPress software we use for the site. Apparently one of the features is allocation of a different (randomly generated) color block to each commenter. I suppose that’s meant to make it easier to look for comments from specific people.
Regarding a jury trial, I would only note that it has not been the practice of any of the international war crimes tribunals.
May 9, 2008 at 9:40 am
I will say in this case that, Mama Africa, most especially West Africa, will is the jury. We are watching every step of the Special Court with Egagle eye from this end.
Harris Kortu Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
May 11, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Webmaster,
Thanks for the knowledge.
But per the second part, is it because the accuse has NOT ask for one or is it a WRITTEN RULE or LAW. If so, WHY SO???
From your view, what is your take on the EXCHANGES so far??? Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this site. Atleast, no one can give us their spins on the FACTS of this case.
Noko4
May 13, 2008 at 11:17 am
HI
Where is David Crean the no nonsence chief prosecutor who has all of the evidence, It is time we need them. I strongly believe that these evidence was not Proff. Crean prosecution material
if so then the Proof. has damage the prosecution. If the defence try to push for Bail for Mr Taylor the will obtain it becaues of Mr crean Outerances. That the day charles taylor apperas before the court, will be the last day he would see sun light made the accuse to be afred to go to court because that is a doom statement. Thus causing Mr taylor to attempt an escape in nigeria.
In short mr crean was an embrracement for the court.
Mr crean Please try and bring these evidence we are waiting
BYE
May 13, 2008 at 12:11 pm
The prosecutor is damaging her evidence by the method the team is using they are just speeking to anybody who was a Ex-fighter or raped victim or an amputee or a child solider. the are not washing the line of explaination that the witnesses are giving and they are allowing the witness to say thing in cross examination that is not in his or her evidence, and they are allowing the to say that the prosecutor got it wrong so that the evidence is solid and truthful . For instance some of the witness will speak the truth to the prosecutor and say i do not know about dimond i dont know about mr taylor giving any order, and yet the prosecutor will present that individual as a crediable witness.I do not know what type of method but i do not think it is working. It has appear to us washing the trial that the prosecutor do not have anyone to really bring up. Mr blah edvidence will be strong yes but it will be one among one hundred and forty four witness
so it is still worthless I hope we do not see this style repeat itself again where he will say i dont know and the prosecutor tell him to say the opposit. please try and bring people that will say i saw diamond, taylor give the order and i was there even their date are a major problem because it keep changing
bye
May 13, 2008 at 12:23 pm
yes indee he’s an embrassment to the Special Court. The prosecutors have nothing to show at the moment that Mr. Taylor has direct link to crimes committed in Sierra Leone. All we hear is hear say again and again. well, if Mose Blah is someone responsible then,the defense has some problem on hand. But if Blah follows Crane’s and Rapp’s foot steps, Mr.Taylor will be a free man by 2010. We are watching with eagle eye..
Harris K. Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
May 14, 2008 at 3:07 am
Zobon,
Your analysis about this trail is wrong. The trial is still going on, wether the methods the prosecutor using is in place or not, be patience. Do not jumped into conclusion like the way your used to do behind NPFL. This case make sense to me and Mr. Blah will tell the truth even out of ninety nine thousands wetness, his will be most credible because he worked with the devil and knows where they hide stuff.
May 14, 2008 at 11:46 am
Would someone please tell the Star Radio Reporter in the Hauge to kindly blance is report about happenings in the court? All we hear about from the court room is witness says Mr. Taylor did this and that in Sierra Leone. He never say how well is the defense team working to point out the many inconsistencises, and contradictions in witnesses statements. This unblance reporting has caused some people back home in Liberia, to conclude that Mr. Taylor is indeed responsible for the war in that country. This is the kind of reporting that make Mr. Taylor looks like a devil in the eyes of the west. Thank God that these people are now getting the true picture of the war in Sierra Leone through the work of the Special Court. Mr.News Reporter, please remember that you are working for international organization, you must be natural.
Harris K. Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
May 14, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I am glad that Mr.Taylor is having a chance in court to answer to charges of war crimes and criems against humanity. This is the right step in the right direction amied at ending the culture of impunity the world over. This shows clearly that people who bears major resposibility of crimes committed will one day follow suit. Bravo to the International community for a job well done!!!!!!!!!!!!! A hint to a wise…
May 15, 2008 at 10:00 am
Zobon,
I just heard such nmae relating to the Small Boy Unit headed by one Zobon…is that you??? If so, will you be testifying???
Noko4
May 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
HI
WE ARE LISTENING AND WATCHING THE CASE AS IT PROGRESSES….JUSTICE IS WHAT WE EXPECT AT THE END OF THE DAY.
May 15, 2008 at 10:38 am
No nelson I am not the one if i was i will go and defend the accuse
for you mr william i was never with N.P.F.L and my analysis is not wrong the prosecutor best card is Mr Blah and the man is now telling the world that he do no know anything. let us wait for the defense to start his cross examination you will see more.Mr blah t evidence is worthless all ready. Like for instant Mr Blah is saying that Dokie was kill in 1991 and at the time taylor was on the seven man councle then which year dokie became speaker? Mr william I know from where you speak Samuel doe kill tolbert and that was illegal that all i can say so if you are a sound man you will be able to0 know that i have already identify you
BYE
zobon
May 15, 2008 at 11:56 am
Dear Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp, Moses Blah said he went with 21 other Liberian to Liyba and Hon. Prince Johnson was one of the 22 Liberians. Why are you bringing Moses Blah and leaving Prince Johnson in Liberia? Hon. Prince Johnson will have be the first person to come to testify. Is it because he is a Senetor right now or it is because he left Charles Talyor in early days of the war to fight for himself? If we want to know the root causes of the war in Liberia, Prince Johnson should not be part of the New Government in Liberia. Or is it that other strong member of the New Liberia Government are too the Primary Actors of the war in Liberia. If you have the power to bring Moses Blah you still have power to call all the primary actors of the war in Liberia. We want to know the Primary Actors and the Secondry Actors of the war in Liberia. If the war in Liberia had not started by the Primary Actors and the Secondary Actors of the war in Liberia. Charles Taylor will not have gone to help the RUF.
I am so happy to hear Moses Blah is there but there are more other people to come like Moses Blah.
Please help the people of Sierra Leone and Liberia to know the root causes of the whole war that kill our people. We want to know the whole truth nothing but the truth.
May 15, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Agnes,
This is not Liberia TRC hearing. I think you should be asking President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to join these guys at the TRC hearing. They all know what when wrong in Liberia from 1980 to 2003. Mr. Rapp is struggling to prove Mr. Taylor’s link to the war in Sierra Leone. As you can see his so called big insider card, Mr. Blah has started to fall to the mercy of the defense team. He dose not apear to know much about Mr. Taylor’s link to the RUF rebels. He’s just another confused witness that has nothing to offer in this case.
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
Email:jkortu@yahoo.com
May 19, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Webmaster,
Thanks for the opportunity for the monitoring of the trial of Mr.Talor.
Many Liberians were affected by the war of Mr.Talor.
Our anticipation is that the international court will set an example on our former president that no other president will like to follow.
Thanks
John Gbolee Harris
University of Liberia
Monrovia,Liberia
May 20, 2008 at 9:42 am
Gbolee Harris,
I think this is your first time to this site, here we discuss issues relating to the Special Court not individual as you guys do at UL. By the way, what example would you wish to be set on Mr.Charles G. Taylor not Talor? You should be pushing for free and fair trail for your former president not example. Please join the wise and dicuss important matters like other university students around the world. We are watching with eagle eyes.
Harris Kortu Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
jkortu@yahoo.com
May 22, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Zobon,
We’re group of Liberian trying to analyze the relationship that existed between Taylor and the RUF rebels. We are not trying to know who I’m or my identity. Who kill Doe or tolbert is not the case at this time. We need to open our mind to the case so that when you want to welcome your taylor back home it can be peaceful or you may visit him for life in jail, either one you should be able to accept it. I guess you stay say; “you kill my Pa, you kill my Ma, I want you to come kill us more”. This will not happen in the new Liberia any more. you’re a brother, I love you not Mr Taylor because he’s not a brother keeper but rather a brother killer, I rest my peace of mind.
May 23, 2008 at 10:07 am
Harris K,
That is the NONSENSE mind set we Liberians exhibit always and Gbolee is doing his best at it. Instead atleast weighing the evidences presented, he jumped into stratosphere with judgement. What a DISGRACE SHAME.
Here we got a case that if FAIRNESS is apply will NOT see the doors of the court’s steps in any western court. I mnean, the HIGHEST COURT in the world and her evidences amount to HEARSAY. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
Witness upon witnesses are telling us LIES, TRICKS and NOTHING that you and cannot makeup or guess. REMARKABLE!!!.
Noko4
May 23, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I understand just that and by me speaking of identify you i mean that i have analyze you form your comment. That means you fall amongst the Liberian who are stereotype.Do not worry. I hear you speak of new Liberia that Taylor should be exempted from, the want that can not provide security for anybody and keep driving is citizen deeper and deeper into poverty,and on explain hardship and lack of train Economist to draw up good plains for her citizen, A Liberia that can not control local priceses and feel proud to tell her citizen, it appears to me that Taylor day was was the New and Modern one that “SURVIVE SIX YEARS WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANT OR INTERNATIONAL CONTACT” that show no distention between her people all citizen was consider equal, people were never charge without evidence people never attempted to sell their family member or love to eat them you call that modern.
About brother keeper Taylor was more then that, he always had love for his enemy. Roosevelt Johnson was given money by Taylor to seek medical treatment,Oscar Quiah was also given $45,000us for medical treatment, The sept 15, coup plotter was to be Kill legally by the Liberian
constitution and he granted them amnesty which was a bending of the law. He bend the law to save them they wouldn’t have done that for him. Then the April 6,war where Taylor enemy was surrended totally by his forces he did not give the the order to over run them because innocent civilian lives was going to be lost then you call him a killer?
Come on William look at your true leader,a man of grate respect that saw the white as equal and not as a master, a leader where people could not detate to and control. a leader that will go to a church and donate go to school program and award scholarship go to concert and give appreciation to people educate who oppose him and most stable economy
BYE
ZOBON
May 26, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for the opportunity been provided that we would express ourselves in such a minor. I know Mr. Taylor will never be free from those charged level against him in that he is guilty. He is guilty cos he participated in SL war and vandalized normal civilian. He should be send to jail, and infact he should die in jail and burried in jail so that no other leader can follow said step.
Thanks
May 28, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hey Kelvin you want to talk then join the conversation . Just click on the line and be a part. and please be mature we are talking sense not malice
BYE
Zobon
May 31, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Kevin,
And if the EVIDENCES prove otherwise????
Noko4
June 3, 2008 at 10:09 am
Wait a munite, is prosecution witness Karbo, linking former president Kabba to diamond trade? these witnesses are so confused that they link themselves and other people to crimes during cross examations. For example, Mr. Moses Blah directly linked himself to the killing of late Gen. Mosquito, when he was sent to arrest the general reating from rebel forces in Ivory coast. Alimamy Bobson, also linked himself to rape and killing of powerless women and children in Sierra Leone. Again witness Karbo has told the world that AFRC/RUF including himself fought against the government because of power struggle. What is sadden is that this former soldier lacks knowledge of demonstration and military coup. How can you shoot your way to state power, and say that you had a demonstration? I wonder if the prosecution really know what they are doing, or is it that the defense is more intelligent? well, we are watching for Mr. Taylor’s direct support to the criminals of AFRC/RUF in Sierra Leone, not this hearsay over and over again.
Regards
Harris Kortu Johnson
“changing minds, changing attitudes”
June 7, 2008 at 5:57 am
Harris,
And these are WITNESSES we’re told are HUMBLE CITIZENS. Based on their testimony, they are the ones who should be facing justice. No one has linked Mr. Taylor to any killings or giving INSTRUCTIONS. The ones Mr. Blah talked about went thru some kind of hearings by their peers. They were found GUILTY for attempting to kill Mr. Taylor.
Noko4
June 10, 2008 at 10:52 am
What will happen to prosecution attorney who write lies about Mr. Taylor outside of what he/she was told by a witness? we hear witness say i did not say this to prosecution during my interview. I’m suprised to hear this statement poniting at me in court. I think such attorney should be arrested and processed before the court. This is a disgrace to any international arrangement like the Special Court.
Harris K Johnson
June 22, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Harry,
I hope the judges are taking that into account and pray that defense HIGHLIGHTS all those TRICKS and LIES.
Just imagine if Mr. Taylor thrown in the towel pertaining to a STRONG DEFENSE, by now, this case could have been OVER and he sitting in jail. Even he’s found guilty, atleast he put up a good fight….for that I say THANK YOU Mr. Taylor.
Noko4
June 23, 2008 at 7:51 am
Dear all,
Just to let you know that Mr. Taylor’s house was again yesterday searched by Special Court Officers looking for new edvience. The officers say they have come to reorganize a crime spot by taking photos, and measurements of Mr. Taylor’s residence. I wonder why would court officers searched someone’s residence on a Sunday without any document from the court in Monrovia? beside, Sunday is not offical working day in Liberia. I fail to understand why would the government of Liberia allowed this? This is crazy and criminal. Please help me if know any legal reason attached to this kind of search.
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia-Libria
June 24, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Harris,
And we claimed we got A CONSTITUTION. We long ways to go broo. On a Sunday, a HOLY DAY in Liberia, without a SEARCH WARRANT from any courts within the land, an OUTSIDE body is trampping Mr. Taylor’s RIGHTS……like they say on the streets….Aaaaaaaa Waaassstttteeee.
This was the same very NONSENSE that happened to Mr. Taylor. A FORMER PRESIDENT of Liberia not given his RIGHTS to protest his extradition while he was on the SOIL OF HIS BIRTH PLACE, A RIGHT guarrante within the LAWS of the land. DISBELIEVE is all I can say.
Noko4
June 25, 2008 at 2:45 pm
We are sick and tired of private sessions for witess’s security. I don’t think that any witness has reason to hide. I don’t care what kind of security protection is given them by the court, they will never escape our eyes and minds. There is no preceived threat for any of the witnesses here. Take for example, Mr. Moses Blah,who is here in Monrovia riding a jeep that was given him by Mr. Taylor. He drives around town freely without the least threat. Ziza Mazza is deep inside Nimba forest hunting and miniding gold freely. What’s about this little confused boy? please stop wasting precious time and move forward with this case. Liberia will stand still comes 2010 when the Pa-pay arrive in Mama-Liberia.
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia-Liberia
June 27, 2008 at 8:11 am
Harris,
It’s puzzling. Someone who ran around doing the same things Mr. Taylor is accused of is asking to be hidden. WHY??? Because they fear to meet the victims of their crime.
Noko4
June 29, 2008 at 8:16 am
To the prosecutor. Your witnesses are claiming that many notes taken prior to their apprearance in court to testify against Taylor were fabrications and errors they never imaging could be made by you.Does that gives you any hint to the proceeding of your charges against Taylor. Do you honestly believe in the credibility of your witnesses when they say one thing to you and another to the court, when they admitted saying one thing to the court and never to you. It is obvious to everyone following the case that you reharsed their stories thoroughly but i was wondering how you the did the reharsals.Why are there so many Mandingos in Liberia Or Sierra Leone called to witness against Taylor when the whole world knows that they form part of the anti Taylor’s movement group who fought to oust him out of power with Guniean Allies through Gueckedou, Macenta, Zerekore all been towns in Guinea. Could that give the Judges any sign of conspiracy against Taylor. 87% of the witnesses are Sierra Leone who donot want to assume any responsibility for their actions prostituting in a domestic politics of Liberia.If you do know please tell the world when was it the first time Coporal Foday Sankor the so-called Sierra Leonean liberator who carved the RUF first attempted to leave the SLA to pursue his greed. Where was Taylor by them?
It is embarrassing to have allowed yourself to be fooled by your Sierra Leone Brothers who are notorous in falsehold, currruption and bribe who armpitted, killed, rape rooted the nations wealth and charsed the populace into exile by using everyform of terrorist tactics to hedge their rapacious and inordinate desires.There was a war in Liberia before Sierra Leone but the history of armpitation was first drafted in sierra Leone.
It appears that you have interst in this case because of the diamonds as over 80% of your witnesses try to prove that Taylor had the Diamonds. Do you thing all the Diamonds in Sierra Leone went to Taylor during the ten years of devilish course? where are all the diamonds since 1930?
Warning to the Judges. This case is really confusing one president in other country accused of fighting the war in another country while he was still at war. They world is watching to see how you despense your justices.
I am watching
July 8, 2008 at 4:22 pm
be it fair or not plez keep him there for as long as the clock tick,be as it may the court can even say 2o11 may, that fine.it is always good to keep people with such heart behind bars for God knows when.
July 8, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Arthur,
The Statement you just made shows you are no better than the RUF rebels who terrorized Sierra Leone.
July 9, 2008 at 10:18 am
Zobon,
What freedom did you enjoy under Taylor? Was it a handful of people, right? Did you know the masses were suffering? Let me tell you something, we (Liberian) thought Taylor was going to deliver the change Liberia wanted, but he became a disgrace,detator, corrupt and killer of liberia. Is Zonbon your real name? Let forget about Sierra Leone killing, do you know how many Liberian were harrassed, intimidatted and probably kill with no reson under taylor administration? Taylor is a good pretender if you don’t know. your link to Taylor provided you some sort of free atmospher you was enjoying so you don’t know about others. I worked for taylor when he was a rebel leader and as a so-called President, and coulded that Taylor did not have interest in Liberia, but rather came to Liberia to revenge for the Congo people who were killed during 1980 coup.
July 9, 2008 at 12:20 pm
William
I alway advice my friends on this site to be mature so please be. you started up real interesting and you ended up simple. Once again was Taylor given any chance to prove himself? The little resource he had he defended this country for 6 years and could still do better.
Let me ask you a question are the messes enjoying now?
I will like you to name a few of those that was killed for me ok cause when we argue we give names not allegation.
And Taylor government show no sing of tribalism for that he is credited
BYE
ZOBON
July 11, 2008 at 2:30 am
Zonbon,
To go into detail answering your question, Taylor killed the following people he claim to have come to protect; Jack F. Doe (Nimba), Steven Yenkeson (Mont), Anthony Menquengbay(Nimba)Duopoe Mengazon (Nimba), Glen Johnson(Bassa)and many more. Those were the first set of Liberian Taylor eliminated during his First 90 days in Liberia as NPFL leader. Taylor never wanted competition, so he decided to murder all educated Liberians who cross over to his capture area. This is not “day say” I mean reality brother! You backing of Taylor sound very little minded, you need to desist from it. He murder our sound brothers, fathers for his selfish gain. The devil you worship and believe in him, will be judge with you when judgement day come.
July 11, 2008 at 8:51 am
Lies Williams, you don’t even know some of the people you are talking about. You are another master of they say or hear say. For example Duopoe Mengazon is still alive. He presently live on Dupo Road, Monrovia and you say that Mr. Taylor murdered him. Was Gen. Johnson educated then Tom wowouyou NPFL spokeman? Johnson was killed in an arm bush by AFL soldiers. This was announced by the Liberian army on the BBC. The Johnson you talked about here was my dear uncle. He was a brave soldier who died for the cause of region change. Stop using the death of respected people to spread hit messages. You are not inform about Liberia civil history. If you want to be in control of envents in Liberia, ask Me or Zobon.
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia (TODAY)
July 11, 2008 at 11:52 am
Harris Johnson
These guys just live on speculation. he has identify himself as a lier and somebody who is very tribalistic, he lie about working with Taylor and knowing event. He has even committed a crime by killing someone illegally. These people don’t read so they do not have any information if you want to know about Gen Emmet Glee Johnson i will refer you to the book “The Nation in Terror” it is at Greenland supermarket you can grasp a copy it will help you. And i told you William to be responsible when you come on this site cause you will meet mature people so please be mature
BYE
ZOBON
July 11, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Zobon,
You have just nailed these mind set guys like Williams and his likes. What they faild to do is to reads events comprehensively, but whenever they see the name Charles Taylor, they jump to conclusion without digesting the entire document. It not about being mature, but the lack of knowledge of events and understainging that a man is not guilty until proven by the due process of law. Duopoe Mengazon is walking alive in Monrovia, but dead in the mind of William. Hear say will not bring Mr. Taylor down gulity in This International Court. Wake up guys the divil is not as black as it is being painted. You got to open your minds to the facts that are obtaining.
Harris K Johnson
Monrovia (TODAY)
July 13, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Zonbon and Johnson,
Why you did not explain about Jackson F. Doe, Steven Yenkeson, and Anthony Menquegbay? Zobon said, this is a mature site, ok are you behaving mature? Do you want everything to be in your interest or research other papers? is it being little minded? We’re talking on broad base cases upon cases and can should you detail report about the late Duopoe Mengazon and where he was burried in Kieplay, Nimba county. Maybe you day dreaming with another name. You know your past killing and exploitation in the Liberian resources has expire and will never come again cause God know how much you guys hurt his people. He give life and should be the want to take it not by man. Judgement day is coming we all will answer some sort of questions.
July 14, 2008 at 7:59 am
Williams,
If you still say that Duopoe is dead, then I have no dealing with you any more. You are some of the few Liberians that continue to carry lies about what you don’t know. If you live in Monrovia I advise that you visit Dou Port Road, and ask for Duopoe Mengazon. In this way you will surely over come your lack of knowledge. As for the last part of your statement, please understand that we are Liberians and have our rights to correct people like you on national issue whenever you are falling out of line and misrepresenting honorable people. I did not talked about other people you clamed that Taylor killed because you are narrow minded and focus on tribal line. Join us let us fight for the establishment of a warm crime court in Liberia so that we all will know who killed some of our beloved brothers and sisters. In So doing the law will take it’s own course and clear you doubt.
Harris K Johnson
Still in Monrovia
July 14, 2008 at 1:38 pm
William
I am ashamed of you cause you are a lier you started up by telling lies and you continue. Duopoe is in the University of Liberia
you can ask your faculty the will show you him, and again mature people speak about thing the have knowledge about and don’t lie and try to cover it up. Anthony Menquegbay was a brother in law to Charles Taylor he betray the cause and the punishment was death this was an oath that special forces took so Charles Taylor could not save his brother in Law. Jackson was kill before Charles Taylor got to know the same with Gary d. Allison and Steven Yenkeson.
BYE
ZOBON
July 16, 2008 at 6:12 am
Hi Guys,
You Zobon and Harries, you’re using fake names to cover up your deeds. If you man enough show your Identity so we can know you openly supporting your Taylor. Many of your deeds will keep you in hidding like weak chicken. You know The expectation we (Liberian) had about Taylor was high until he make us shame. Why should you terrorized the people you came to Liberate? People who get human feelings knows what I’m talking about, and the selfish one don’t care cause life was in their favor. God’s time is the best guys, William is right to say what he know or heard.
July 16, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Yarlee
I do not think you can read with comprehension because if you do you would en have written this comment and until you become don’t write me again.
BYE
ZOBON
July 16, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Yarlee,
I have nothing to hide. I have live in Liberia since 1990. I challenge any Liberia or group of Liberians that will point fingers at me for any wrong doing at any time in Liberia. Before, during, and after the civil war. My name is Harris Kortu Johnson, from birth. I will never change my name as long as I live. I work for INGO Merlin- Liberia at Catholic Junction, VP Road. I work in the position of Communication/Security Officer for seven years now. Hope I have introduced myself. As for Taylor, I forever remain his supporter even in my grave. Nothing gonna stop me not even you socalled good people that have failed to prove what you said you would. Hey! kids we are talking about a former president here not photos takers.
Harris K Johnson
Security@merlin-Liberia.org
August 14, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Its a shame that we cannot see the actual trial reported has it is occuring, but rather we see edited versions from so call experts. Why not shut the trial down and drag Mr Taylor to be hang, shot whatever you people want to do. Because its sure aint a FAIR trial.
August 18, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Please, we would really appreciate you continuing with the first way you were sending proceedings on your website. The summary is not giving the picture of the court. Please charge your clerks to continue the first thing.
August 20, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I am a Liberian who has been following the trial of Mr. Taylor very closely. But there is something that stirred me up a few days ago. You know Liberia is very rife with rumors these days.And in Liberia there is a saying that where there is smoke there is fire. I learned that Mr. Taylor will soon be placed on parole by he Special Court for Sierra Leone sitting in he Hague.And he is expected to tour some countries in Africa and Europe. Is this true and can you please clarify.
August 21, 2008 at 5:21 pm
The daily summaries are very boring, whereas the daily detailed court transcripts are very informative. You just lost one reader and that’s me. Until you folks can return posting the transcript verbatim as you were doing before I quit reading your boring daily summaries. What are you trying to do? Dilute the truth and reality of this serious and grave trial of Charles Taylor? No this is unacceptable. I repeat you just lost one reader and be prepared to lose many more.
September 1, 2008 at 2:16 pm
For everyone who has requested verbatim trial records as opposed to daily summaries, you can find the official transcripts available to the public at:
http://www.sc-sl.org/taylor-transcripts.html.
September 18, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Dear all
We all do understand the nature of the wars in Sierra Leone.However it better that Taylor gets a fair trial.If found quilty he must be sentenced in accordance with the law ,should he is not quilty then please release him unharm.
His trial is a good example for the rest of the African leaders.
October 31, 2008 at 9:46 pm
We all know that Taylor is quilty.You who are on his side.I am sure you did get something from him,cause we know there are lots of people still in Liberia that supported him.Maybe we should be thinking about bringing them to trial. Lady-green
November 24, 2008 at 11:22 pm
The so called summaries is getting me sick.I know that you people have already plan to make taylor guilty.the transcrpits too make me to vomit.please come back to your senses to start the same way you started.you said the trial will be open to all west african but you are making all west african sick and sad.please change the reports to what you started before.if Taylor will be guilty at all,it will be cause by this so call expect site.I which you change for the good.
And
December 1, 2008 at 9:19 pm
PLS MAKE THE TRAIL OPEN,LET US KNOW ALL DETAILS