He did, and then demonstrated that his means of defending himself was simply to continually delay the proceedings.
Unfortunately for Karadzic, the court's experience with Milosevic has made them wise to this tactic, and they've declined to allow its use again.
Karadzic wasn’t given anywhere near the pre-trial preparation time that was given to Ante Gotovina, Rasim Delic, or Ramush Haradinaj (the three most prominant non-Serbian defendants to be tried by the Tribunal). They all got more two years or more to prepare, Karadzic hasn’t gotten anywhere near that much time eventhough he’s facing far more serious, not to mention more numerous, charges. The trial is delayed because he needs adequate time to prepare his defense. Why shouldn’t he be entitled to the same time amount of preparation time that’s been given to others?
The Prosecution changed the indictment in February and they amended it again in October, one week before the trial was to start. When they change their accusations, Karadzic has to change his defense strategy. This inevitably delays the proceedings. If you don’t want the trial delayed, tell the prosecution make-up their mind what they’re accusing him of. It’s been 15 years — they should have made up their minds about this a long time ago.
Another thing that’s delaying the proceedings is the fact that the Tribunal won’t pay Karadzic’s chosen team of legal advisors for their work (after they said they would). His legal advisors aren’t working now because they’re not being paid — this delays the trial. It’s not Karadzic’s fault the Tribunal won’t pay them for their work, and it’s not like he can pay them since his assets are frozen.
Karadzic didn’t choose this guy Harvey. So while the Tribunal is refusing to pay his chosen legal team, they’re ramming this guy down his thoat against his will.