Judge Sir Richard May's Legacy

The Tribunal lost a leading light today. Sir Richard May, who presided over the Milosevic trial for two years, died this morning. He will be missed for his professionalism, intellect, leadership and great humanity.

The job of presiding judge in the Milosevic trial was perhaps the most difficult in the Tribunal's history. The presiding judge is charged with overall management of the trial to assure that it is fair, orderly and expeditious. That is a difficult task in ordinary circumstances. The Milosevic trial has been anything but ordinary. Not only have two indictments been joined into one trial with a total of 66 charges against the Accused, but the factual allegations cover three wars and a period of ten years.

Adding substantially to the difficult task facing Judge May was Milosevic's scorn for the Tribunal and insistence on representing himself, despite his lack of skill and poor health. Judge May willingly assumed primary responsibility for assuring the trial was fair to all concerned -- the Accused, the victims and the larger public.

While he was sometimes criticized for his curmudgeonly way of responding to Milosevic, who derisively addressed him as 'Mister' May, disdaining the respectful title of 'Judge,' Judge May repeatedly schooled him in the law, directing his cross examination to relevant questions. As is proper when dealing with a self-represented accused, the Judge gave Milosevic more leeway in questioning and routinely allowed him more time than the Prosecution.

Judge May was compassionate with witnesses who had suffered greatly during the wars. When Barbara Nadj softly cried and stumbled over her words as she described the condition of her husband's body -- broken ribs, broken skull, gun shot wounds, she apologized to the Court, “I am supposed to speak louder, but I cannot.” Judge May gently reassured her, “Don’t worry. You don’t have to.” It is but one example.

Judge Sir Richard May dedicated his life to public service. When he joined the ICTY, he took a difficult path. When he assumed leadership of the Milosevic case, he again chose the more challenging task. It required much of him -- and he gave much. Until the end, he never missed a day of court. He has left a legacy in his written opinions on issues of law, as well as in his judgments. His legacy contributes greatly to the legacy of the Tribunal. He will be sorely missed.