New evidence was presented as the trial of Saddam Hussein resumed after a two week break. This time it’s documentary evidence bearing Saddam’s signature.

Prosecutors at Saddam Hussein’s trial presented a document Tuesday they said was signed by the former leader approving the executions of more than 140 Shiites in southern Iraq after an assassination attempt in the 1980s.

The document was among several presented by chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi concerning the killings of Shiites from the town of Dujail in 1982.

A memo from the Revolutionary Court, dated June 14, 1984, announced that 148 suspects had been sentenced to death by hanging and listed their names. The prosecutor said the signature on the memo was that of the court’s head, Awad al-Bandar, one of Saddam’s co-defendants.

A document dated two days later was a presidential order approving all 148 death sentences. The paper was signed by Saddam, al-Moussawi said, displaying the document with the signature on a screen in the court room.

Although some have called this a show trial with a predetermined outcome, this is the strongest evidence presented so far indicating Saddam’s direct involvement. The trial seems to be under stronger control with new chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi not allowing the outbursts and theatrics that characterized the earlier portion of the proceedings.

Regarding the substance of the new evidence and the new tenor of the proceedings, Ed Morrissey said,

None of these people ever stood trial; none had the opportunity to challenge Saddam’s death order. He simply wanted them dead and signed the order that gave him what he wanted. One hundred forty-eight men and women went to their deaths to slake Saddam’s thirst for revenge. And this is just one incident from over twenty years ago.

Now that the former judge has been retired in favor of one that has much less patience with disruptions, the trial may actually prove beneficial to the Iraqis. Until now, Saddam has had free reign of the press, overshadowing the evidence and testimony provided at this trial, undoubtedly part of his strategy.

Perhaps now this trial can move forward and the evidence of the total absence of humanity on the part of the defendants can be presented.

Linked with Tuesday’s Best at Don Surber and the OTB Beltway Traffic Jam.