One Year Later

One year ago today the verdict:

20 Years for a crime she did not commit.

I think about this judgement and am absolutely disgusted to know that this type of corruption and injustice can still exist today but above all, I cannot believe it is being accepted by civilized countries throughout the world. Even if she were guilty, the penalty is outrageous. The Bali bomber responsible for over 200 deaths in October 2002 was given a sentence of 2 years in jail. Six members of the famed "Bali Nine," who were caught with 8.2 kg of Heroin strapped to their bodies were given 20 years in jail. How can her sentence be explained by anyone? It can't.

I will always believe in her innocence. Schapelle has said she will not ask for a Presidential Pardon because to do so she must admit she is guilty and she cannot admit to a crime she did not commit. I commend her for that because I think most people in her position would be screaming "Ok I did it please let me out!" But not Schapelle, she continues to fight with every ounce of strength inside. I will stand beside her throughout the whole fight as I know many of her loyal supporters will too especially the SOS group. Never in my life have I been associated with a more dedicated and caring group of people.

My thoughts are with Schapelle and her family today and everyday and I continue to hope and pray for justice to be served. I truly feel like something has to give. I am an optimist through and through believing that someone somewhere will come to her aid.

Theories, Theories, Theories

I despise the word theory more and more everyday. By nature I am a person who likes things to be clear. I need to fully understand a situation and be able to explain it to others...I guess thats the teacher in me. So, when I think about the different possibilities of how the marijuana was put in Schapelle's bag it frustrates me to no end that I cannot say for certain that I believe one scenario over another. And yes, I am aware that I am a teacher not a lawyer or a criminal investigator.

Many theories have been raised on the Spirit of Schapelle Forum where there are some incredibly intelligent people who are fabulous supporters of Schapelle and her family. Everyone on there is searching for the truth and in doing so, have raised some thought provoking questions about many possible scenarios.

The two on going debates have been whether the drugs were planted in Australia as part of a domestic drug deal gone awry or in Bali as part of a plot to recieve funding for the War on Drugs. Both arguments are strong, both make sense to me. I have a hard time feeling totally convinced by either one. In a way, I hope that it was planted in Australia, it just seems to me that it is more likely that some evidence could still surface that will clear Schapelle.

The thought of the drugs being planted in Bali by the Police seems in my opinion to be worst case scenario. Mostly because if this were the case, it was done with some degree of government involvement which would indicate they are not going to allow incriminating evidence to surface anytime soon. Obviously both scenarios are extremely serious but for some reason in my mind, having the MJ planted in Bali casts a dark shadow over the case.

At the present time, Schapelles lawyer Erwin Siregar is working on having her case reopened on an extraordinary appeal. If this happens it will be a very rare act on the part of the Indonesians. They would be given another opportunity to have the case examined and if possible to present new eveidence. I think it seems more likely to me that the Indonesian courts would be more open to hearing that it was an Australian that planted the weed than their own "trustworthy" police.

I cannot imagine how many times Schapelle has racked her brain trying to piece together a possible scenario. I am certain the truth will come out, I just pray for Schapelles sake that it happens sooner than later. Every minute Schapelle spends in Kerobokan Prison is too long. She is so obviously innocent and does not deserve to be there.

Always On My Mind

As I was walking my dog on the beach today, my mind was at ease. Staring at the miles of Atlantic Ocean, inhaling that fabulous beach air when suddenly I realized that these sights and scents are the very things that Schapelle is being robbed of. It infuriates me to think about this poor girl still in prision. She has been robbed of a year and a half of her life with her family her friends and herself....her true self where she is free to come and go as she pleases and pursue her dreams....

How is it possible that in the 21st Century an innocent person can still be wrongly convicted? If it were a lack of technological ability to forensically test for fingerprints or to test the MJ for the orgin...I could maybe understand. Instead its an disgustingly corrupt judicial system in a foreign country which is flat out denying a young woman her legal rights coupled with her home country not stepping up to the plate when they could clearly flex their muscles and see to it that this woman is if nothing else given a fair trial....

It is amazing how many times a day Schapelle crosses my mind. I feel like she is a close friend although I have never had the opportunity to meet her. Her strength and determination comepletely amazes me. The thought of her sitting in Kerobokan day after day waiting for someone to say enough is enough....breaks my heart.

I know the truth will come out....I pray for Schapelle everyday that while we wait for justice to prevail that she remains strong in body and mind.