Hello again, it's Mo here. I hope everyone is doing fine. As for me, work is going well but a few family and personal issues the past few days were quite stressful. My younger sister was ill with a serious form of Malaria and was admitted at a local hospital for about a week. I got a call at work that she was ill and I left for the hospital to see her. It was quite scary and sad to see her in that condition. With prayers, good doctors and nurses and love, she was able to pull through. She was discharged from the hospital on Friday and is now doing better resting at home.
As for work, my supervisor (the Deputy Principal Defende) and I decided it will be a great idea to assign me to one of the teams representing indictees from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF; which was the main rebel faction during Sierra Leone's 11 year civil war). I'm very excited at this opportunity to work on another team. As you all know, until last week, I was working on Mr. Taylor's diclosure which is now complete. His lead counsel is currently out of the country and will return later this month. I'm not sure whether I will be assign to work with him again upon his return, but I hope so.
This week, I worked on two responses to appeals made by defense teams against both the Principal Defender (PD) and Deputy Principal Defender (DPD). It was the first time I got to work directly with the Principal Defender. He called me into his office, handed me the appeal by one of the defense teams, asked me to read it and draft a response for his review (I cannot specify more than that due to confidentiality rules). To complete the draft, I had to do some research, go over some contracts, and discuss the issues with him. I drafted a response for him on Thursday, he reviewed it and we discussed possible changes in format and substance. It was quite a flattering and humbling experience to be trusted with such a important appeal.
On Friday, the DPD called me into her office, handed me a request/application (by one of the defense teams) and other supporting documents and asked me to analyze it, do the relevant research and write an opinion memo on whether she should approve or deny the application/request. I did the relevant research, read the relevant documents and evaluated the arguments for and against granting the request. After my research and evaluation were complete, I wrote the memo.
The exchange of ideas on both a legal and administrative stand point was quite educational. We initially disagreed on whether she should grant or deny the request, but after additional discussions and some compromises, we both reached a decision we thougth was the best under the circumstances.
Also on Friday, I visited my Alma Mater, Prince of Wales Secondary School. Unfortunately, I was unaware that there was another activity planned for that day. I was able to take some pictures and talk to some students. I plan on visting again on Monday or Tuesday and I will share that experience with you all. I also got to play soccer on the beach with some of the guys around my neighborhood; i enjoyed it very much.
Once again, as always, thank you all for your continued love and support; I miss you all and I look forward to seeing you all upon my return to the US in August.
Sincerely
Mo
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