Character witnesses won't be brought to Katsav hearing

Decision comes after Supreme Court rejects appeal against holding sentencing process for former president behind closed doors.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
katsav in court 311 (photo credit: AP)
katsav in court 311
(photo credit: AP)
A lawyer representing Moshe Katsav said Monday that the defense for the former president would not bring character witnesses to the sentencing process hearing set to be held at the Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday.
The decision came about during a discussion Monday morning regarding an appeal submitted to the Supreme Court against holding the pleas for sentencing in the trial behind closed doors.
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It was also apparent that Katsav himself, who was convicted of rape and sexual harassment, was likely not to appear on the witness stand during the hearing.
The Supreme Court rejected the petitioners' request and ruled that the hearing will be held without the presence of the media because there is concern that spontaneous statements may violate the ban imposed on the publication of certain areas of the affair.
The Supreme Court, however, determined that after the hearing, the court will publish a summary that will contain the positions of both the state and the defense.
Supreme Judge Asher Grunis explained that "a number of things could happen and people express themselves in certain ways, and it is impossible to know beforehand how the issue will develop."