Prosecution attacks credibility of key witness in Posada case
The mental ailments and tax dodges of a Hialeah handyman dominated the trial of accused Cuban bomber Luis Posada Carriles Wednesday as the defense hammered away at the credibility of the key prosecution witness.
Gilberto Abascal had testified earlier this week that Posada was smuggled by ship from Mexico to Miami, and not by land from Mexico to Houston as Posada claimed under oath.
But defense attorney Arturo V. Hernandez of Miami did not ask Abascal any questions about the smuggling trip and instead highlighted his myriad financial and mental issues.
Abascal's 2004 application for U.S. government payments for physical and mental disabilities noted he suffered from schizophrenia, showed ``psychotic features'' and was treated for hallucinations at Jackson Memorial Hospital that year.
He denied the schizophrenia but acknowledged that he had hallucinations during that period six years ago, and that he still suffers from insomnia and occasional depression.
Repeatedly accusing the defense of trying to trip him up, he told Hernandez, ``I am afraid of you'' and added, `You have had me under surveillance for six years.''
Prosecutor Jerome Teresinski indicated Abascal had been under surveillance by the U.S. government, but gave no further details.
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