Is she guilty

[BMK]

Well the verdict on Bali prisoner and defendant Schappell Corby has shocked some and left some others feeling she should have received a life sentence.

Today Corby received a 20 year sentence and a $14,000 fine passed down by the three Indonesian Judges. Immediately, the Prosecution stated that they would lodge an appeal asking for a Life sentence. Obviously not satisfied with the sentence today..



Well it's time for the aimchair legal experts, observers, and friends to have a say. The TV and radio news today in Australia is running hot with their lead story on Schappell Corby. Everyone has an opinion on her guilt and innocence.

Standby for the book and the movie..



I'm amazed that the Bali bombers received sentences as low as 4 years and this girl receives a 20 year sentence for carrying - alledgedly - marijuana into Depensar airport.

Guessd the one question un answered is why anyone in their right mind would carry marijuana into a country where it is freely available at a tenth of the cost in that very country.

And it is available everywhere over there and very cheaply - cheap like everything else accept freedom it appears...

The only sensible thing that I have heard today is a comment that we should stay out of the country Bali. Avoiding Bali at all costs seems a sensible approach whilst corruption appears so rife in this country.

Just my $0.02 worth..

Anyone else followed this. What are your thoughts.

Cheers

Bernie

[crillyiv]

I honestly hadn't heard of it until your post on the topic.

My reaction would be that oft times people travel to other countries and forget that they will be under the laws of that country, much to their detriment. Same thing happens here with folks going to Mexico for example. They also mistakenly assume that since the rule of law is not common in the country being visited they can get away with what they regard as minor violations. This can lead to rude awakenings and life altering events.

Honestly, without knowing if she's an okay person or not, I feel sorry for her but only up to a point.

[BMK]

Jim

There have certainly been mixed feeling/emotions over here.

The latest I have seen on a light note is the "t shirt" with this printed across the front.

I went to "BALI" and all I got was this dumb 'T' shirt and 20 years.

I guess we will never really know if she took the drugs into the country in her Boogie Board bag or they were planted in her bag. I guess the warning is always lock your baggs and suitcase.

www.schappellcorby.com - a forum

Bernie

[GeorgiaSnake]

O.J. plays golf and this lady goes to jail

Randy

[Tenrocca]

Im not 100% sure shes innocent, but theres no way you could be sure shes 100% guilty. reasonable doubt?

Certainly put me off going back to Bali.

Can we send in a red beret team to get her out?

[Rebel1]

Bernie...Like you I have some questions, but I do suspect this girl is genuine for the reason you noted. That being:

1. Why take 4.1 Kg of marijuana to another Country where hi quality marijuana is freely available on every corner.

2. Why take it when the $ return from selling In Australia far exceeds that she could obtain in Bali.

3. Why just stuff it in a boogie board bag on an international flight when the chances of detection are so much higher.

My greatest concern has to do with parts of the summation from the bench. On more than one occasion the head judge stated that Corby's defence team did not prove who put the stuff in her bag. Are you kidding!!....I thought the defence job was to raise reasonable doubt.

I think what concerns me the most Bernie is that whilst I respect the Australian Government can't interfere in the laws of another Country. I do find our Government to be somewhat negligent in their handling of some matters. For Instance ..

Kelty, our federal police head coathanger is on record as saying that he was unaware of an investigation into baggage handlers at several australian airports. This was during questioning by the media enquiring as to reports from a whistleblower that drugs were being shipped between cities with the co-operation of the baggage handlers.

14 days later several baggage handlers were detained and some arrested.... Where?, at their place of employ, the airports. Airports are federal jurisdiction. So much for Kelty.

Seems the threat to their investigation was more important than this girl suffering in a Bali hell hole.

And...because those baggage handlers have yet to see the inside of a courtroom, the Government would not provide the relevent evidence to the Bali bench.

Makes ya wonder who is important hey?

[BMK]

Les,

I had the innitial opinion that the Howard Gov't. had left her out to dry. Then today Minister Alexander Downer held a press conference in Adealaide, where he again offered 'Pro Bono' support from two Queens Councillors - QC's. This he stated was offered to Corby team prior to the case start....



I wonder why they didn't enlist that type of high level legal support offered by the Government.

I just heard a young supporter on TV say that people are leaving Bali saying they will never come back, as they a fearful of the Government, airport baggage handlers and Customs. Could this have a greater impact than the Tsunami disaster.

... I thought they had the best Government and Police Force that money could buy - sorry provide..

Then again she may be as guilty as the Presecutors have argued.

[Rebel1]

Originally posted by Bernie Knight


I thought they had the best Government and Police Force that money could buy - sorry provide.. [/b]

You are a bad boy Bernie.

Let me tell you a true story.

My daughter and her husband went to Bali for a dirty weekend. They checked with Aussie customs as to how much Sambucca they could take and were told 1.5 Ltrs. They arrived in Bali with 1.25 Ltrs in a bottle and were questioned by customs why they were importing over 1 Ltr of spirits into Bali.

Customs over there did the full thing...search luggage..personal had luggage, threats of arrest, etc etc.

A$25.00 later they were let go to enjoy their holiday, and were given back their 1.5 Ltrs of Sambucca to enjoy.

Mate...Downer is as straight as a goat path up the himilayas. There is some other Government agenda going on here maybe to the benefit of Corby and I am not talking about prisoner exchange either.

[BMK]

Les

I have just been talking with some young guys at the restaurant. Many have been watching the news on the big screen there.

The news tonight ran a statement from a young supporter of Corby. he really nailed the Indonesian Government, the Police and Customs.

In finishing he asked why eleven people had died in a helicopter running rescue missions for this Government and why we - I read the world - has supported this Government in there time of need after the Tsunami.

Seems this is certainly not the end. I saw Corby's mother on TV just before. She is now screaming that the system is corrupt. Would appear that her and Schappelle had been told to shut up and let the law take its course.

She is now very vocal that the witnesses who would clear Schappelle were not called. Those that were called to give evidence were ignored..

The young crew here have clearly said that Bali would be the last place on earth they would go to for a holiday now....

Some interesting comments.



Yes close to home here also - Anne my wife paid Police a bribe to avoid prison after she was detected not wearing a seat belt in a taxi. She later told me she had given the Police the equal of $100 to get off.

Interesting to note that the belt in the cab was under the back of the seat on the back floor. Tell me the taxi driver was not in on that scam.

He probaly flashed his headlights at the Police on the intersection ahead.

If they will do it for a lousy seat belt, I tend to think they will do it to save face on a nag of marijuana.

Bernie

[BMK]

The best site to follow what has happened is

www.news.com.au



bernie

[Aussie Mike]

Indonesia is a corrupt place. I worked there many times in a previous job. I was there just before the big riots in the late 90's and got out in a hurry. Traveling in and out of many asian countries in that reigion and Indonesia was the only one where customs required some grease to let you slide you through. Just a big corrupt dung pile, I have no desire to go back there.

From what I've heard the Indonesian justice system puts the onus on the defence to prove inocence rather than the prosucution to prove guilt. When you have the Indonesian police force doing the investigation it's got more to do with how it looks on camera when your waving the evidince around rather than actual forensic investigation.

Guilty or not Schapelle never had a chance once the media got hold of it. Now with no oportunity to grease her way out wth some cash placed in the right hands Shappelle had to have her day in court. The Aussie media may have made her out to be the inocent victim But the Indonesian media touted her as "Lady Marijuana" like she was some drug cartel king pin. with that kind of circus was there ever any doubt what the verdict would be?

We gave them something like AU$1BN last year in aid and what the hell do we get out of it. I would rather that money was invested on something that will benefit Australia and Indonesia can go and drown in it's own sh*t.

[BMK]

Aussie Mike

Mike

The points you highlight are exactly what the crew at the restaurant where saying.

This young supporter of Corby on the news who read from a written statement has really asked some questions about the support that both the US and Australians have given Indonesia.

I feel that the only ones that will be saying its the law will be a few government Ministers, officials etc, who want to save face.

Just listening to about a dozen or so young people here I think if the Tsunami was to have been next week that country would get the steam off these kids p!ss only.

Sounds harsh but like you I tend to agree that we have been delt a fixed hand of cards with this one.

As I said above the Bali bombers get as little as four years for terrorism and Schappelle Corby gets 20 years for what..

The Indonesian President will have to step here and do something or that country will sink under the loss of tourism.... or sink and stay down if there is another disater thare.....

.. and I will be taking Bali off the list of must see..

Guess more will unfold as the family now starts to break both their silence and ranks.

Bernie

[lovehamr]

You guys better watch it. You're starting to sound more and more like Americans! LOL Really guys, I hope you get you citizen back. Things like this do happen in 3rd world s**t holes all the time and it seems that this one went beyond the normal "grease me and I won't grease you" BS. Now politicians will have to be involved to help the poor girl. I don't know about you guys but that wouldn't engender a great deal of hope on my part.

Steve

[TMK 2002]

I have mixed feelings. TBH, I would never step foot in the country and I dont know Schapelle, so I dont know who to believe or really care.

I do know that the media have had a field day and some companies made a fortune out of selling advertising on their tv channels and live webcase of the trial.

There was one camera in the court room... apparantly it was a PBL camera...

[Clois Harlan]

Mike,

Sorry to chime in here as a RUDE AMERICAN but I totally agree with you on aid to these corrupt countries. They not only bite the hand that feeds them they never have any sense of gratitude. We (The US and many other democratic countries) spend far to much on countries that hate every breath we take and despise our way of life. I think we all should cut our losses leave them to fin for theirselves. I have had my personal experiences with corrupt governments and the amount of grease it takes to get the simplist things done.



Clois

[427sharpe]

I think what concerns me the most Bernie is that whilst I respect the Australian Government can't interfere in the laws of another Country.

Sounds like the boys down under need a bit more Bush in the outback.....

[TMK 2002]

In the face of adversity, great to see she is cashing in...



The jokes have started already Well I found it funny.

[PCC]

As Mike said, in Indonesia you are guilty until proven innocent.

This in itself makes your job alot harder than the western judicial system.

Secondly, this Judge had taken part in over 500 drugs cases and convicted everyone! What chance would you have in that scenario?

Its interesting that Aussy airports now offer a "cling wrap" service for luggage. As I understand it, whenever you pick your baggage up from a carrier you should always check for tampering prior to taking it off the conveyor. If you suspect something do not pick it up, but report it to Security.

I think what you will see with this case that she will spend between 2 and 5 years in Bali, then commuted to Aus for the remaining sentence.

Unless you are the person you will never know that she is guilty or not. A good looking girl who is tearful certainly makes you think sorry for her and therefore not guilty, but you just don't know.

Bring in screening of all baggage by the beagles, not just what is coming into Aus. Does'nt the Government have an obligation to search for drugs leaving the country just as much as coming in?

Put the Beagles in the plane cargo bay prior to the plane departing. More delays, but better than a 20 year delay in jail!!

What concerns me more than this case is the 9 stupid boys who were mules for drugs. These lads do seriously face the firing squad as they were found with drugs strapped to them. Any foolish kid could have done this and we all have been foolish at some time of our lives.

Sad, sad, sad!!!

[boxhead]

I have been watching this from the start and I will admit that when first picked up I thought there was every chance that she was guilty.
Yes it is true that you can buy cannibas in Bali at a very cheap price but the quality is about as good as my back yard lawn (and my dogs crap on that).
But as more and more details came out about the baggage handlers I thought that there was too much reasonable doubt as to if she put it in there or if someone else did.
Another thought is that the boogie board bag had 4.2 kg's of the stuff in it, I think that would have doubled the weight of the bag so surely that would have seemed odd?

So although I am not entirely convinced of her innocents I do think there is enough doubt that she may not be guilty.

Regarding the aid and help sent after the Tsunami I for 1 would donate again if it was to happen again, I cant see any reason why the general public should suffer after a disaster of such a large magnatude.
I am sure the people that recieved the aid are very grateful for it.

I cant see why Australia helping a country that is in trouble feels they should get treated any differently or as stated earlier all we are doing is greaseing each others palms but this time doing it infront of the world.

Sorry if anyone thinks my views are wrong but I only say what I believe.

[jdog]

If feel compelled to relate a story that was told to me first had by the person himself. I work in a large rather notorious prison here in the USA, Folsom State Prison in California. This will be my 20th year, lord willing. For most of those years I was the Superintendent of the license plate factory. I tell you this, so I can tell you what one of my 'lifer' inmates told me. I have every reason to believe what he told me. He had a long criminal history and is in prison for life. This was just one of many stories of criminal exploits I have heard. Most come with very well documented 'credentials'!

In his earlier crime days, before he took to killing people, he was a smuggler. He smuggled marijuana from Mexico into Calif. One time he got caught at the border. But not by the US, by the Mexican police, with about 700 lbs.!
His crime partner and his biggest customer was an attorney in LA, Calif. This partner hired him an Mexican attorney. The first time he saw his Mexican attorney, the guy said, "As long as you are in the court system there is little I can do". "The sooner you get into a prison, the sooner I can get you out"! "It will cost $17,000, I need $5,000 to represent you in court, and $12,000 to get you out!"
He plead 'Guilty' and received 25 years! And off to prison!
After 4 months in a Mexican prison he was driven out of the prison in the middle of the night, by a Military officer!
He said that the funny thing was that about 6 months later, his attorney partner received a copy of the daily newspaper from Mexico with the story of his escape!

Maybe she will just 'escape' from a Bali prison in a few months!

jdog
P.S. This happened in the early 1980's, I'm sure it's a lot more $$$ today!