Expert Witness David Chandler Begins His Testimony with Frequent Objections by the Defense

by Erica Embree, JD/LLM (International Human Rights) candidate, Class of 2015, Northwestern University School of Law
— 18 Jul, 2012

Case 002 against accused Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, and Ieng Sary resumed Wednesday, July 18, 2012, in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, after a month-long recess. Proceedings opened with a packed courtroom, with approximately 500 villagers present, hailing from Banteay Meanchey province, Kampong Cham province, and Sangkae district in Battambang province. In the afternoon, about 100 villagers Mukh Kahmpoul district of Kanval province attended.

All parties were present, except Ieng Sary who was granted leave by the court to observe the proceedings from his holding cell due to his health.

Before proceeding with the expert testimony of witness David Chandler, Trial Chamber President Nil Nonn addressed several preliminary matters. National Civil Party Lead Co-Lawyer Pich Ang requested the court recognize a new international lawyer who would be representing 95 civil parties with Civil Party Co-Lawyer Sin Soworn. President Nonn recognized the new counsel, stating that she has the same rights and privileges as her national counterpart.

Turning to a different matter, President Nonn addressed the delay of the proceedings, which had been scheduled to resume Monday, July 16, 2012. He expressed regret over the delayed resumption of the proceedings and explained that the delay had been caused by the illness of one

of the Co-Prosecutors, which resulted in their inability to proceed with the examination of David Chandler or with a substitute witness. He reminded the parties of the need to be ready to examine witnesses, experts, or civil parties out of sequence to avoid needless interruptions to the trial schedule…

Read more: CTM_Blog_7-18-12_0

Cambodia Tribunal Monitor’s Trial Observer posts are written according to the personal observations and opinions of the writer and do not constitute a transcript of ECCC proceedings or the views of Cambodia Tribunal Monitor and/or its partners. Official court transcripts for the ECCC’s hearings may be accessed at the ECCC website.