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Forget Naomi Campbell, real star of Charles Taylor trial is Griffiths QC
Alistair Foster, Showbusiness Correspondent12 Aug 2010
He has become the unlikely star of the Charles Taylor blood diamonds trial.
As millions watched Naomi Campbell's explosive testimony live on television, defence barrister Courtenay Griffiths QC grabbed their attention with his flamboyant style, tenacious questioning and deadpan quotes.
He struck a particular chord with his closing statement, which ended with a quote from old-school US rapper Grandmaster Flash.
A Facebook fan page has been set up in his honour, while Twitter has been awash with compliments — including “Courtenay Griffiths started day by giving the court a verbal machine gunning”, “Courtenay Griffiths QC as impressive as ever” and “World class work by Courtenay Griffiths and [fellow defence lawyer] Morris Anyah the real trial performers!”
Mr Griffiths was appointed to defend former Liberian president Taylor, who faces multiple charges of war crimes at The Hague, and cross-examined Campbell, her former agent Carole White and actress Mia Farrow.
Mr Griffiths is no stranger to the limelight. He has been involved in many high-profile cases in the last 25 years.
He defended IRA members who were accused of involvement in the Harrods and Brighton bombings while a junior lawyer in the Eighties.
He was also involved in the Docklands bombing case in 1996, the Winston Silcott trial for the murder of Pc Keith Blakelock and the first trial relating to the death of Damilola Taylor.
Mr Griffiths said: “I have no moral commitment to Charles Taylor but I do believe he is entitled to the best-quality defence available. I will ensure that he gets it.”
Rastafarian Mr Griffiths moved from Jamaica to Britain with his family when he was five, studying law at the London School of Economics.
When he began practising in West Yorkshire he would break the ice with juries by saying: “Members of the jury, it is me sitting here with my black face and white wig, looking for all the world like a pint of Guinness. I have a good head too.”
THE KILLER PUT-DOWNS
To Carole White, Campbell's former agent: “Quite frankly, Miss White, your account is a complete pack of lies and you have made it up in order to assist in your lawsuit against Miss Campbell.”
Quoting Grandmaster Flash's 1982 single The Message to Ms White: “Put bluntly, for you this is all about money, there ain't nothing funny.”
To Ms White: “Where you say that Miss Campbell and Mr Taylor were mildly flirtatious with each other, again I suggest that's a complete fabrication by you. The bottom line is, you made this up.”
Reader views (12)
Dear Mr Black Knight,
so, you base your accusations on adjective interpretation?
Have I got that right?
- Anglo, Sussex England, 13/08/2010 12:26
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@ Anglo, Sussex England
Well they do say, if you like someone, you would describe them as passionate, if you're biased or dislike them you would describe the as aggressive.
Alot of your adjectives used do expose your negative bias when you use the words "slow" , "boring" and "offensive". Au contrar a supporter could equally describe him as "calculated" , "thoughtful" and "straight to the point".:) i say Well Done Griffiths QC
- Black Knight, London, 13/08/2010 11:45
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I do not comprehend how it is that Black Knight & Joseph can draw conclusions as to the character and motivation of ES Commentators who find the performance of a courtroom bully ineffective and faintly ridiculous.
I stand by my comments. Courtney Griffiths rubbish. He was slow, boring and offensive to no good effect. He did not remove the consistent evidence of a link between Charles Taylor and those "dirty pebbles"
It does not matter about whether Naomi Campbell or the other two witnesses were telling the truth. The link is consistent and nothing that Courtney Griffiths said or did removed it.
That's why he was rubbish.
- Anglo, Sussex England, 13/08/2010 09:07
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@Black Knight, London
I don't see how you can justify calling Anglo, Sussex a bigot simply for saying he thought Griffiths was rubbish.
In fact I'd suggest that your intolerance of their point of view and vehement defence of your own standpoint sounds far more like bigotry!
- Danny, London, 12/08/2010 17:16
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Dear Black Knight,
stop you're breaking my heart.
- Anglo, Sussex UK, 12/08/2010 17:14
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The longer the case goes on - and we're talking maybe four years - the more this self-important stands to profit. I agree with British Pragmatist that watching him grandstand is like watching paint dry. It's interesting to look at the complexion of his cases.
- ehunter, london, 12/08/2010 16:53
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Well to the pragmatists and Sussex ignoramus,no one wakes up suddenly and become QC (Queens Counsel). If the pragmatist want to talk about trial proceedings,its a topic i be happy to discuss with you,People should learn to give respect to whom its due,but self defeating hatred and jealousy is the way some are born.The trial here is a complicated one and must be handled with caution as not to result to another civil war in west africa,i will refrain from talking about something i dont understand the foundation,so people should watch their comments,Griffiths is a man of honour and if any individual or group of people whose life is torn with hatred or racism wants to talk,well we shall soon their ignorance by what we read from them here,the people that have proper knowledge shall separate the shafts from the grains
- Joseph, Dublin,Ireland, 12/08/2010 15:38
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@ British Pragmatist, Yorks,
@ Anglo, Sussex England,
The both of you are couch commentators...you words mean nothing and expose you for what you really are - Bigots!!!
- Black Knight, London, 12/08/2010 14:01
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@ Black Knight, London
It is not a black thing at all then.
- Veritas, Purley, 12/08/2010 13:37
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Griffiths is so extremely slow in delivery, it is painful. He is a very plodding, dull, uninspiring lawyer who has nothing special to offer. He follows a standard, unimaginative, straightforward style in examining and cross-examining.
Yes, he's black -- so what?
- British Pragmatist, Yorks, England, 12/08/2010 12:57
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He's Excellent, inteliigent and clever...Miss White is a money grubbing crocodile!!!
- Black Knight, London, 12/08/2010 12:43
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I thought he was rubbish.
- Anglo, Sussex England, 12/08/2010 11:56
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