SADDAM HUSSEIN AND SEVEN CO-ACCUSED RETURNED TO COURT ON MONDAY TO FACE CHARGES CONNECTED WITH THE KILLING OF 148 SHI'ITES IN THE 1980S, A REUTERS WITNESS SAID. THE SESSION WAS EXPECTED TO AGAIN FOCUS ON PROSECUTION EFFORTS TO PROVE THAT THE OUSTED PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE ON DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY IMPLICATED HIM IN THE KILLINGS. ONE OF THE JUDGES READ A REPORT WITH THE RESULTS OF A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE SIGNATURES AND HANDWRITING OF THE DEFENDANTS, WHICH INCLUDE SADDAM'S HALF BROTHER BARZAN AL-TIKRITI, A FORMER INTELLIGENCE CHIEF.
