Liberia, June 12 -- Day three of this mammoth human trafficking trial with 57 victims and 27 defendants started with more drama as three more defendants pleaded guilty Thursday, claiming they were victims who had been coerced into recruiting others. They made the admissions in a bid to win clemency from prosecutors in a trial where the evidence against them is overwhelming.

The admissions came 24 hours after a co-defendant, Shelley Jonny, broke ranks and testified for the prosecution in what experts said could be a decisive moment for the jury.

The defendants - Maxson Wonlebaye, Martherline Tompia and Preston Godfred - were permitted by Criminal Court "A" Judge Roosevelt Willie to address the court. Wonlebaye, had been accused of rape ...