Delaying antics by the defense are not limited to the United States, as indicated by this law.com story by Claire Duffett in Cambodia. Jacques Verges represents Khieu Samphan, who was head-of-state during the Khmer Rouge genocide. Among other things, he demanded his client "be released because most of the documents are not translated into French." They are already in Cambodian and English, which is all that precedent requires. "Little of the French lawyer's discourse resembled traditional legal arguments. He quoted French King Louis XIV, recited his career highlights and suggested the court appeal to the U.N. to replace its former secretary-general, Kofi Annan...."

Organizers then gave victims a chance to speak, aided by an English translator. "You are performing a circus," scolded a middle-aged man named Ly Monysak. He and several other victims implored the court to replace Khieu Samphan's attorneys.

Also on trial is torture prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias "Duch." The chief villian of the Cambodian Holocaust, Pol Pot, was removed to a higher court 10 years ago.

Whatever the final outcome, this tribunal cannot deliver justice. It is a U.N.-affiliated organization, so it cannot impose the only adequate punishment for the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge.