Saddam Hussein's defense team walks out and judge barrs them from the courtroom.
New defense lawyers appointed by the newly seated chief judge who is taking a firmer hand than his predecessor.
Saddam walks out in protest.
Court resumes with witness testimony about the torture a woman and her family suffered while imprisoned by Saddam. She testified behind a curtain.
The twenty minute delay for TV and the stumbling flat monotone translation makes it hard to get a true sense of what is going on, but it seems chaotic compared to the formal structure of the U.S. court system.
It is clear that Saddam is truly evil and delusional, but still crafty. And definitely in major denial.
It might be craftiness, or it might be ordinary dragging-of-the-heels as he's being dragged toward the gallows. For the gallows is just about the only place he could wind up.
Posted by: Francis W. Porretto | 29 January 2006 at 04:54 PM
He's testing the new head judge. This one has promised to not tolerate political speeches and let it turn into a circus like the last judge allowed. So for the first few days Hussein & Co. are testing his limits, like you would a substitute teacher.
Posted by: Adam | 29 January 2006 at 10:16 PM