Olmert defense requests delay in trial

Testimony halted in response to prosecution coaching witness.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
olmert zaken 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
olmert zaken 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The testimony given at the trial of former prime minister Ehud Olmert Tuesday by Hadar Zaltsman, tour agent at "Rishon Tours," was halted after the defense was informed that she had received a 32-page document containing questions and answers from the investigation.
Olmert's lawyers claimed that this was new material, and therefore requested a postponement of the court hearing.
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Drama unfolded Tuesday at the trail of Ehud Olmert when district court judges in Jerusalem responded to Olmert's defense team's request to stop Hadar Zaltsman's testimony. Zaltsman worked in conjuction with Olmert's office for many years.
The defense team claimed that a document containing questions and answers was given to the witness and it will only be possible to continue with the testimonies once the document has been checked.
Zaltsman's testimony began a few days ago and yesterday the counter investigation began and is being conducted by Olmert's lawyer, Nuit Negev. During the testimony yesterday Negev examined Zaltsman in relation to claims that the district attorney coached her before the testimony. Zaltsman responded by saying that she received the document containing questions and answers in order to be sufficiently prepared to testify.
Zaltsman provided the 32 page document Tuesday after Olmert's lawyer, Negev, requested that it be brought to the hearing. Once the document had been submitted Negev called for the testimony to be halted. "In our opinion the document represents new material that throws out all the other testimonies," Olmert's lawyer claimed. "We need to study the document becasue it refers to all the topics that have been raised in her testimony." Negev continued, "I need to consider the significance of the document and continue the examination of the witness.