Former Liberian Leader Boycotts War Crimes Trial | PBS - June 2007 |

Taylor's assigned lawyer Karim Khan also left the courtroom, saying the former leader had withdrawn permission to have Khan represent him and was instead applying to serve as his own defense attorney.

The judge then ordered the trial to continue, and Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp began his opening statement.

Rapp countered Taylor's claims, saying that the former leader had been assigned a lawyer, assistant attorneys, a special investigator and court funds. "Everything that can be done is being done," Rapp said, according to the Associated Press.

Presiding Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda repeatedly cut short Khan's address and Taylor's letter, demanding an explanation of Taylor's absence.

Sebutinde ordered Khan to stay and represent Taylor through the first day of the trial, but he said he no longer had Taylor's authority and left.

Taylor, 59, has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Approximately 50,000 people died in the West African nation's civil war from 1991 to 2002.

"Even a 'Big Man' Must Face Justice" -- Lessons from the Trial of Charles Taylor | July 25, 2012 |

'Sapere aude'