Buzzby

Guilty Corby Gets 20 Years
CNN | 05/27/2005

(CNN) -- Indonesian judges have found a Queensland woman guilty of smuggling drugs into Bali in a case which has generated unprecedented interest among Australians and a diplomatic balancing act for the nation's leader.

Schapelle Corby, who has been held in a Bali jail since her arrest on 8 October last year, was sentenced to 20 years jail and fined 100 million rupiah ($10,700) on Friday.

Shortly afterwards her family said they would appeal her conviction after the court found her "legally and convincingly" guilty of smuggling marijuana into Bali.

The 27-year-old beauty therapist was arrested at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar after 4.1 kilograms (9 pounds) of marijuana were found concealed in her boogie board bag.

The case has galvanized public opinion in Australia, with a recent survey showing 90 percent thought Corby was innocent, believing her defense argument that the drugs found in her possession were planted by baggage handlers in Australia.

Corby's defense team was buoyed by news Australian Federal Police and Qantas Airways were investigating the role of baggage handlers in a cocaine smuggling operation.

But on Friday chaotic scenes broke out as the guilty verdict was read, with Corby's family and supporters yelling out from the back of the court that "Schapelle is innocent."

Corby, who had largely maintained her composure during the two hour proceedings, pleaded with her family to calm down before turning to her mother, mouthing the words: "It's ok mum. I'm alright"

With tears streaming down her face Corby then slapped her head with her hands before being allowed to embrace her visibly distressed parents and sister.

Corby was led from the court room surrounded by a wall of security as they struggled to move her through a massive press contingent that had converged on the Denpasar court house to cover the verdict.

Outside the court Corby's sister Mercedes said the family would appeal the verdict.

"This is not fair. We will get Schapelle home."

Her financial backer Australian businessman Ron Bakir described the verdict as "a massive injustice," and said he would do whatever it took to get her home.

The panel of three judges dismissed key evidence prepared by her defense team, including that of Australia prisoner John Ford who backed Corby's claim that she was an unwitting "drug mule."

The judges found Corby's defense team could not prove if there was another person responsible for the drugs.

"The defendant has been proven legally and convincingly guilty" a translator quoted the judges as saying on Sky News.

"We've found that drugs were imported into Indonesia. Importation is illegal in Indonesia and it occurred at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar. This occurred without a licence or any permit to do so. It may not be done by anyone."

"She has been unrepentant to this. It is found the defendant is responsible for the narcotics and this should be considered when handing down the judgment."

Security was stepped up around the Bali courthouse Friday morning with more than 100 officers guarding the building amid concerns of a terror threat.

Already the case has triggered a series of threats against Indonesian diplomatic missions in Australia and Indonesia.

Trying to keep a fragile relationship with Jakarta intact, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said after the verdict that any criticism of Indonesia or its justice system would be counterproductive and reflect very badly on Australia.

He said the Australian government had already provided substantial financial support to Corby's legal cause and would be extending that offer. In addition he said additional legal support had been offered for any appeal.

A team of Australian officials will head to Indonesia within the next ten days to discuss a prisoner transfer agreement between the two countries that would see Corby serve her sentence in Australia.

Corby has always maintained her innocence.

During her trial Corby maintained that she was the victim of a drug trafficking operation involving baggage handlers at Australian airports.

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troublemaker_42

While this certainly isn't the end of this story, i at least take some comfort in knowing she wasn't sentenced to death, or life in prison. I offer my prayers and support to Corby and her family, but am concerned about the appeal. Isn't it commonplace in Indonesia to increase the penalties if a case is appealed and the subject still found guilty? I hate to see her face 20 years, but by appealing they are chancing life.....

Buzzby

I have no idea what principles are behind the Indonesian legal system, but it doesn't seem to include proving a case "beyond a reasonable doubt" or the necessity for proving "criminal intent". It seems very simplistic.

a) It's a crime to import marijuana into Indonesia.
b) There was marijuana in Corby's bag when she entered the country.
c) Therefore Corby committed the crime of importing marijuana.

There was no consideration of the possibility that Corby was the unwitting dupe of a third party. The evidence was almost immediately corrupted by what seems like very dim-witted customs officials. The government refused to do even cursory forensic examination of the evidence: they wouldn't even check for fingerprints!

You can't logically argue on the point that no one would be stupid enough to commit the crime, but it's very tempting. Knowing that minor drug crimes carry draconian penalties in Indonesia, why would someone simply throw a garbage bag full of bud (Nine pounds is a huge volume of weed!) into their luggage without any attempt to conceal it's presence and expect to make it through customs? You'd have to have the IQ of a bag of rocks.

jlong

I think its time we sent a few good marines over there with 9 pounds of C4 to get the poor girl out.

smotpoker

They showed the 9 lbs in court, it was massive. Guilty until proven innocent in that ****ed up nation, thats the law there. The prosecuter had a 99 per cent conviction rate. I think she is innocent too. I dont think anyone would be that stupid to just stuff 9 lbs in a bag and go to a country with a weed death penalty . The airport didnt weigh her bag either. I know she is a super babe, but how often does that happen? They make extra money for heavy bags.

quijibo

9 pounds of C4? prolly need more than that...those guys in charge over there are looney...i used to have a roomate who went there yearly to f*** underage girls (prolly boys too for all i know) and thats like perfectly ok but dont ye dare get caught with some weed...wow im usually more eloquent than this but im unable to get my head around this...maybe the us government should quit using its military to support its corperate masters oil lust and take on the real villains of the world. hell if they did that i might even enlist to help out. 20 years an they dont even have to conclusively prove she did it. its almost as bizarre as some of the nonsensical laws in this country.

yuri420

100% - He has never acquitted anyone of being in possession of drugs and is personally responsible for the death of hundreds.

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