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Good morning. We'll take appearances first, please.
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Good morning, your Honours. For the Prosecution this morning, Kathryn Howarth, Maja Dimitrova, and myself, Nicolas Koumjian.
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[Open session]
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[The accused present]
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[Upon commencing at 9.30 a.m.]
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Good morning, Madam President. Good morning, your Honours. Good morning, counsel opposite. Appearing for the Defence this morning are Terry Munyard, myself Morris Anyah, and we are joined again by Ms Kathy Hovington, a legal assistant with our team.
Madam President, as a time convenient for the Chamber this morning there is an administrative issue I would like to raise with respect of the proceedings tomorrow and Mr Taylor's attendance in Court.
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Well, I think now is as good a time as any for you to raise this issue.
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Madam President, this week, I believe starting yesterday, is the week for the Jewish passover holiday. It is I believe pronounced Pesach, which is P-E-S-A-C-H. As we have said previously, Mr Taylor is of the Jewish faith and tomorrow in particular is the most critical day or important day in this entire holiday and Mr Taylor wishes to be absent from court tomorrow. He has directed us to proceed with leave of the Chamber in his absence, so the proceedings will not in any way be delayed. He just wishes to be excused from court tomorrow to observe this significant religious holiday. And so we make an application to that extent and we reiterate that we are not seeking an adjournment and we are instructed to proceed in his absence. Thank you.
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I do not reckon that the Prosecution have any objection to us proceeding in that way.
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That is correct, Madam President.
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Mr Anyah, we've noted the application. We'll make appropriate orders tomorrow in Mr Taylor's absence.
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That's fair enough. Thank you, Madam President.
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Now, Mr Vincent, good morning.
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Good morning.
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Your testimony continues this morning and I would just like to remind you of the oath that you've taken previously to tell the truth. That oath is still binding on you today.
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Yes.
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Mr Anyah, please proceed.
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