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Verdict Delayed in Saddam's First Trial
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&c=639805&l=1009&ctl=1439D43:A6F02AD83191E160D041464C4F7BE9299574F7DCC14957C0 Court officials
say judges will be reviewing evidence and considering whether to
recall some witnesses





Saddam Hussein in court, Sept. 25, 2006

Court officials in Baghdad say there may be a delay in issuing a
verdict in Saddam Hussein's first trial on mass murder charges.  VOA's
Jim Randle reports from Iraq, where the former Iraqi leader faces two
separate trials at the same time. 

Saddam was scheduled to hear the verdict in his trial on mass murder
charges on October 16.

But court officials say judges will be reviewing evidence and
considering whether to recall some witnesses.

It is not clear when a verdict might be issued. 

This is the first of two trials for Saddam.  In this case, he is
accused of killing 148 Shi'ites in the town of Dujail in the 1980s.  

After months of testimony, the court has been in recess since late
July.

Saddam and his co-defendants could face execution if they are found
guilty.

Meantime, Saddam's other trial is also in recess.  He is charged with
genocide on allegations he orchestrated a military campaign against
Kurds in northern Iraq that left more than 180,000 dead.

That genocide trial was adjourned until October 9 after several stormy
sessions that saw shouting matches between defendant Saddam Hussein
and the chief judge.

Saddam complained about court procedures, said he is not getting
justice, and disparaged Kurdish fighters called Peshmerga.

During the last session, Chief Judge Mohammed Oreibi repeatedly told
him to sit down  and finally ordered him out of the court. 

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