November 06, 2006
Hussein trial was flawed but reasonably fair, and verdict was justified, legal experts say
New York Times, November 6, 2006
The yearlong trial that ended yesterday with a sentence of death by hanging for Saddam Hussein had serious legal flaws that left doubts about whether he was allowed to present a full defense, international legal experts said. But even critics of the trial said the five Iraqi judges who heard the case had made a reasonable effort to conduct a fair trial in the face of sustained pressure from Iraqi political leaders for a swift death sentence. However, several American criminal lawyers said the prosecution marshaled surprisingly convincing documents, including those showing Mr. Hussein's signature on orders of execution. "Saddam was convicted on the strength of his own documents," said Michael Scharf, a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law who advised the Iraqi tribunal during the trial. Read article.
Posted by: Heidi Cool, November 6, 2006 04:13 PM | News Topics: Faculty, New York Times, Politics and Public Policy, School of Law
http://blog.case.edu/caseinthenews/2006/11/06/hussein_trial_was_flawed_but_reasonably_fair_and_verdict_was_justified_legal_experts_say
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