Lawyer: Katsav won't motion for additional hearing
Despite statements by former president's Attorney Avigdor Feldman, Katsav associates claim no final decision made yet
Former President and convicted rapist Moshe Katsav will not file a motion for another hearing in his case, his Attorney Avigdor Feldman said Monday. This may signal the end of Katsav's long legal campaign.
It is estimated that Katsav's defense team does not see any chance of success for a new motion, especially in light of the potential judge in such a hearing – Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish.
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During a conference at the Bar-Ilan University, Feldman stressed that despite his statements Katsav has yet to make a final decision on the matter.
A Katsav associate said: "We have not made a decision on the matter and we are holding discussions and deliberations. It is possible that Katsav will ultimately decide to file for an additional hearing, even if the lawyers object to such a move. "
Katsav before entering prison (Photo: Reuters)
Should the former president decide to go ahead with the motion he will have until January 6 to file the petition.
"Any trial, particularly one involving a public figure forces what is virtually a hopeless war against the media," Feldman said. "Our client was not fully cooperative. His long speeches where he challenged the media were in full contradiction to the lawyers' position."
Addressing the role of public opinion he said, "The Israeli public has a particular fascination in seeing public figures hanged in the town square. The public and the media are not interested in facts – facts don't sell newspapers."
Feldman admitted his failure in the case. "If I wanted to keep my hands clean and only defend white collar people I would have stayed away from the Katsav case immediately after he refused to accept the plea bargain.
"I have represented some horrible people in my life, crime bosses, spies and murderers but never was I made a target of such anger and contempt as in the Katsav case."
He added, "I wake up at nights wondering what I did wrong. My failure in the Katsav case is clear, I failed in changing the picture during the trial. I will have to live with this failure until the end of my professional career."
Since starting to serve his prison sentence three weeks ago, Katsav has been adamantly refusing to wear the prison uniform, which are only obligatory when receiving visits and attending court hearings. As a result several family visits were canceled. By refusing to wear a uniform, Katsav also waived the right to meet with his attorneys.
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