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NOTICE TO TRIAL
WITNESSES:
In
Costa Rica law, it is forbidden for trial
witnesses to see, read, or hear detailed
information about the trial and testimony
from other witnesses until AFTER your own
testimony has been given. If you are a
designated witness in this trial, and you
have not yet testified, we urge you not to
read the information in this report. Thank
you, Grupo UCCR.
Welcome
to our first message in preparation for
trial.
As you have just read, the law in Costa Rica
forbids any person who will be testifying in
court to be exposed to information about the
trial prior to providing her or his own
testimony. The intent of the law is to
provide witness testimony to the court that
has not been influenced by previous
evidence. To those of us familiar with the
jury system, members of the jury are
forbidden from exposure to information
outside the courtroom. They will make their
decision based on what happens inside the
courtroom. In this case, those persons
providing evidence to the court are
forbidden from learning about any other
evidence being presented, so their testimony
remains unique.
During their testimony, witnesses may be
asked by either side whether they have
learned of information about the trial or
the evidence provided by others. If it is
determined through questioning or by any
other proof that the law has been broken,
the testimony provided by such witness may
be thrown out, or worse.
During the course of the trial, all UCCR
messages which contain information about the
trial will be prefaced by the above notice.
To all defense witnesses, we ask
that you strictly follow the law, and
refrain from exposure to information about
the trial. Your honest and unblemished
testimony is vital for a successful
conclusion. We are all counting on you.
The UCCR also respectfully asks every group
or individual which transmits information to
investors to use restraint in their writings
during the trial process; to avoid insults
and other derogatory comments that could be
counter productive; to use general rather
than detailed descriptions of evidence and
witness testimony. We also caution against
the use of recording or video equipment in
the courtroom, and recall that the
publishing of photographs of private
individuals without their consent is
illegal. The prosecution is watching and
listening and reading all of our reports,
and will use our mistakes for their
advantage. It is in our common interest to
abide by and respect the laws, practices,
and customs of Costa Rica juris prudence and
trial reporting, particularly important
during this period.
We welcome the use of our reports by other
providers of information, however we ask
that a statement similar to our witness
notice is also included when any portion of
our reports are published.
For more than four years we have waited for
this trial. Now, we must not hamper that
effort.
Until next time.
Thank you.
Wednesday, 13. December 2006
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