Love To Schapelle

Comments

2008-04-27T20:21:00.003-04:00

This is going to be a quick post. I am going to preface it by saying I am actually very impressed with the lack of ridiculous comments that people leave on my blog. I initally thought there would be a lot of idiots trying to post garbage comments about Schapelle so I chose to moderate my comments. I will continue to do so because I do not feel it is necessary to let unintelligent people comment on my blog. This brings me to the point of this post.

To those of you who feel the need to come to my blog and leave derogatory messages to or for Schapelle, you are wasting your time. They will never be published on my blog. As far as I am concerned you have no freedom of speech on my blog. If you were to write something half intelligent that was perhaps suggesting that Schapelle was not innocent, I would actually publish your comments so that we may be able to have an educated debate. But to those of you who write ANONYMOUS as your name followed by unintelligent slander about how you hope Schapelle rots in prison, I just delete your posts. Noone else sees your garbage comments but me. You don't offend me you just prove my point that there are far too many people in the world with too much time on their hands.

I welcome comments written by someone who leaves a name, makes a supportive comment or even an opposing comment so long as it is logical and is open for discussion...otherwise I delete it and will continue to do so.

My Condolences

2008-02-17T18:55:00.003-05:00

The fact that this is my first post on this blog in over a year is a sad fact by itself. The fact that I am going to dedicate this post to Schapelle's father the late Michael Corby is actually gut wrenching. Michael Corby died on January 18th after a long battle with Cancer. I cannot even imagine how hard it must be for Schapelle to be dealing with this horrible news. It is hard enough to lose a loved one but to not be able to be there to grieve properly with your family must be unbearable. I picked up a few little things to send to Schapelle to let her know I was thinking about her but that kind of thing always feels so minor. I always had an appreciation for Schapelle's father. He was always so honest about things. He never pretended he had a magic fix for things, he never claimed to understand the judicial procedings in Indonesia. He always came across as a simple man who loved his family and would do anything he could to protect them. He knew this case was bigger than him, much more complex than he could have ever imagined. I tend to think that there is only so much help that we can give people here on earth. Now that he is gone, perhaps he can offer Schapelle the help he couldn't give her here on earth. Rest in peace Mr. Corby and know that those of us who are here will continue to fight for your daughter until she is free.

Correction

2007-01-15T22:56:00.000-05:00

I have a correction to make to one of my previous posts about Schapelle being transfered. This information is being handed on by a fellow forumer and great supporter of Schapelle. Rather than try to regurgitate what Angel has informed me about, I will just copy her comment here so that everyone can see the info. Thanks for the clarification Angel....its much appreicated!

Hi Michelle,
Its not the malang prison, but the Sukun prison in Malang they are talking about transfering her to. Sukun is a category one prison, high security, where they send all the political prisoners, murderers and terrorists.. basically long term prisoners who have committed the worst crimes and have the harshest sentences.

Prisoners at Sukun are issued two sets of uniforms per year and they must wear them at all times, the only exeption being when attending church services. Sukun is controlled by the military and very regimented.

There is no Aussie Consulate in Malang, but regular consulate visits are within the law. Regular meaning what? Perhaps once a year? some prisoners of Indonesia are afforded less, but its still considered regular. Sukun only allows twice weekly visitation and this is the biggest downfall for schapelle. She has upset the powers that be with her comments in her book. If you thought things couldnt possibly get worse for her think again. They can, and unfortunately they will.

Cheers,
angel.

2007-01-02T16:40:00.000-05:00

Free Schapelle

This is a video I found on You Tube, it's just nice to know there are still people plugging for her.

One Big Fear

2007-01-02T01:04:00.000-05:00

Well after the dust settled from the New Year's Eve festivities, I came home and logged on my computer only to have 3 Google News Alerts for Schapelle waiting in my inbox. I have learned that anytime there is anymore than 2 alerts, its never good. Just as I suspected, the news was not good. One of Schapelle's biggest fears is about to come through. After two and a half years in Kerobokan, the jail officials have applied to have her transfered from Kerobokan prison to Malang Prison, a few hundred kilometers away.

Most people would be thinking it doesn't really matter because jail is jail. The scary thing for Schapelle is that since her arrest she has been able to have her daily visits with her sister Mercedes who has been able to bring her fresh food and water along with anything else she may need. Most prisoners inside Kerobokan do not have this and therefore end up sick and malnurished because the food supplied to the prisoners is anything but edible. It will be much more difficult for Mercedes to access Schapelle if this transfer is approved.

Malang prison is said to have a lower prisoner population as well as stricter rules. Prisoners are only allowed 2 visits per week and are waken up at 5am. They are to have an hour of prayer, then an hour of exercize and must be back in their cells at 6pm. They are expected to be asleep by 9pm. I have not been able to find much information on Malang Prison at the moment. Chris Parnell, an Australian who was jailed in Malang Prison in the 90s has some pictures and a few disturbing stories on his website if you care to check them out. I personally was only able to look at one or two pictures before I just felt disgusted and upset by the thought of her going there. The site is http://www.christophervvparnell.com/gallery_1.htm

According to Indonesian law, a prisoner cannot be moved while their case is still under appeal. At the moment, Schapelle is waiting to hear if the court is going to grant her an extraordinary appeal so technically, she should not be moved until that has been exhausted. Her lawyer, Erwin Siregar has mentioned this point and has written a letter requesting the move not be granted. According to Erwin, there is also a law in Indonesia that says that forgien prisoners must have regular access to their countries consulate. There is no Australian Consulate in Malang so moving her would be a violation of the law, which, I guess has been done before.

Merry Christmas Schapelle

2006-12-25T15:17:00.000-05:00

During the festivities the past few days, I have found my mind constatnly drifting back to thoughts of Schapelle sitting in that hell hole. I prayed for her constantly over the last few days. I am so blown away by her ability to sustain herself in that place. I realize she has family that go to her everyday but I am not sure I could live through that. It would be extremely hard anyday of the year but especially on holidays when you know the traditions that are taking place without you. The food, the drink, the family gatherings, the things that make being alive worth it. I know Schapelle and her family make the best of the situation and I am so glad to hear that as her time in Hotel K must be just exruciationg.

To barely have your basic needs taken care of is unfathomable to me. One amazing project that is getting under way at the moment is looking at getting clean water into Hotel K for Schapelle and all the other inmates in Kerobokan's Womans Cell. This project is in the early stages but has many very dedicated people working on it. You can find more information about it at: http://spiritofschapelle.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=e3e76a6024d8d508cff01c8ac4e833c4

I think reading Schapelle's heartbreaking book "My Story" has really reinforced the fact that she is not living in average conditions inside Kerobokan. She is living in filthy, inhumane surroundings. A place where vermon, germs and disease flow freely. Some people have said that our efforts should be put toward getting her out of there....and I agree. However, I do strongly think that the campaign for Schapelle must be a double pronged campaign. We have to fight for her rights and set her free but we also must realize that we cannot go over to Indonesia and physically pluck her out of there. She is at the mercy of the judges at this point. We have to be realistic in recognizing that it may be a few years before she walks free. So, with that in mind. this project is aimed at improving the conditions while she is there. It is also going to help future prisoners as well.

I encourage everyone if you haven't already to buy her book "My Story." I will write some of my thoughts on the book when I finish reading it. I have been reading for about 2 weeks now. I find it tough to read quickly. It's emotional and heartbreaking. I find myself only able to read a few pages at a time.

I also encourage everyone to check out the Spirit of Schapelle forum. It is such a fantastic forum filled with amazing supporters who truly do have Schapelle's best interest at heart.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone. Enjoy the time with your families.

The tiny update

2006-12-09T11:33:00.000-05:00

Well...it's been over 2 weeks now...is that a fortnight? hehe I am learning all this new language being on SOS. Anyway it's been over 2 weeks since I recieved a confirmation email that my copy of Schapelle's book had just been shipped. I waited really patiently for it to arrive but now I am afraid I am turning into a kid on Christmas Eve. My patience (if ever there was any) has run out...I'm now going nuts. I want it to arrive NOW. ok that was my rant. Realistically, it probably just got caught up in the Christmas mail. I guess technically since its coming from Oz, it would be Chrissie mail hehe....see I know whats what.
Either way...the moment it arrives I will be thrilled to have it in my hands but will no doubt be crushed by its heartbreaking words. I will keep you all posted.

Oh, one last thing...I guess my tiny update is turning into a true Michelle style post...long winded. The Spirit of Schapelle website was down all day yesterday. There have been a few theories put forth as to why it was down...I, ever the optimist, really hope it was not some sort of malicious attack on the site and hope that people out there are really not so hateful as to do something like that...but let's be honest.

The fact that the site was down and supporters had no way to contact one another was really hard. Thankfully, it was up and running again today and didn't take weeks to fix as we have seen in the past. It is really important that when the site is down, we as supporters put forth a strong effort to stick together be it through blogging, or other supporter sites like www.schapellecorby.com. There seems to be a lot of familiar folks on there as well. Anyway thats just a step in creating a plan for times when our supporters base takes a bit of a hit. Well, now it's Saturday afternoon and my To Do List is not getting crossed off so I better get at it.

A Long Awaited Book

2006-10-30T20:42:00.000-05:00

For over two years now, Schapelle has been in the news at every opportunity the media has to include her name in a story. There have been hundreds of stories written about her, probably only half of them being true.

She has had her name drug through the mud by those who believe she is guilty, and she has been mocked by those who have little or no compassion for others.

In a few short weeks, she will finally have her chance to tell her story. Her own words, about her own situation. I'm going to copy and past the synopsis of the book which is written by Kathryn Bonella, a former producer of 60 Minutes. Bonella wrote the book with Schapelle in hopes of helping Schapelle to tell her story.

I strongly encourage everyone to buy this book. Give her a fair go. You have read all the media versions of things, at least have the decency to hear her side of the story. I have pre-ordered my copy of the book and anxiously await its arrival from Australia. Schapelle is a woman of great strength, courage and composure. I have no doubt that this book will be written with words from her heart. I know you will not regret reading her story.

The book has not yet been published. It is due to be published on November 10, 2006. I have heard rumours that the original print copy is near 120,000. The book is being published by Macmillan Australia. The Photo above along with the following Synopsis and Authors note have been taken from:

http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=1405037911&Author=Corby,%20Schapelle%20with%20Bonella,%20Kathryn

"When I flew to Bali on 8 October 2004, I imagined my biggest problem was going to be deciding which sarong to wear with which bikini... "

It was meant to be a holiday. A fun-filled break to a tropical paradise to celebrate a sister's birthday. But for Schapelle Corby it ended up a waking nightmare. She was arrested at Denpasar airport after 4.2 kilograms of marijuana was found in her boogie-board bag. Schapelle had become the real-life victim of every traveller's darkest fear - drugs had been placed in her bag after she checked it in. Though completely innocent, she was forced to face the consequences of someone else's crime in a country where the penalties for drug smuggling are among the harshest in the world.

Her trial and conviction became one of the biggest stories of the decade in Australia, and the entire nation watched in horror as she was sentenced to twenty years in jail. Yet despite the huge media coverage, the one voice we never properly heard was Schapelle's herself. Now, in this searing and utterly compelling book she tells her own story: of being wrenched from a carefree holiday into a stinking police cell, of an alien legal system where her attempts to prove herself innocent were thwarted at every turn, and of learning to survive - day by terrible day - in the squalor, discomfort and violence of a third-world jail.

Schapelle's story is an account like no other - of a young woman experiencing the unimaginable, and enduring the unendurable with courage, strength and humour. It's simply the most unforgettable book you'll ever read.

Author information:
Schapelle Corby has become one of the best-known names of the last decade, yet we, the public, know so little about her and the full horror of her ordeal. This book will change that. Read the book - she didn't do it.

Remaining Hopeful

2006-08-27T20:39:00.000-04:00

After an over dramatic media circus on Friday, Schapelle and her defense team were told that they had won a 10 day delay in their appeal so that they may gain access to CCTV videos of the baggage handling area in Brisbane where her bags were originally checked before being shipped to Sydney and onwards to Bali. It is the hope of her defense team that by gaining access to these videos they may be able to pinpoint where and how the drugs came to be in her bag.

However within hours of this news being announced, Chris Ellison, the Minister of Justice and Customs in Australia quickly announced that these videos no longer exist. It is being said that the tapes were wiped on November 4, 2004.

I find it very sketchy that Mr Ellison can make claims that he is certain that the tapes were in proper working order following claims they were tampered with several times during the fall of 2004. We later found out that there was an internal drug ring operating within the airports during this time. How can Mr Ellison be so certain that these tapes were working properly if they have been destroyed? And if it is true that they are no longer in existance then my question is why in the world would they allow the tape from October 8th to be destroyed knowing that it could potentially be crucial evidence for one of their own citizens??

I am not certain that the tapes will mysteriously surface, but I remain hopeful that the hearts and minds of the judges are open enough to see the many faults in the prosecutions arguement which put Schapelle in jail for 20 years. I pray that the judges see the argument for reasonable doubt and that they acquit her.

The Final Appeal

2006-08-14T22:44:00.000-04:00

In only a few short days, Schapelle's world could change again....this time, any change in her sentence can only be a positive one. Her legal team has launched an extraordinary appeal with has called for a judical review of her case. This sort of review is different than her last appeal because it is not possible for her sentence to be increased any further. As we all know her last appeal saw her previously cut sentence go from 15 back to 20 years.

This time, her lawyer and in my opinion a total God-send, Erwin Siregar, has launched a judicial review which will be presented to three new judges. The appeal is asking the judges to understand that Schapelle's case was flawed and that she was never actually proven guilty. These types of appeals normally have to have new evidence being brought forth to the court. Her lawyers have not been successful at producing any new evidence but have sought the advice of an expert on Indonesian law to help hilight the flaws in her trial.

At the moment this is scheduled to take place this Friday. Because of the time difference it is possible that we may know the outcome late Thursday nite or early Friday morning in Canada...I know I will be awake until I know the outcome and will post immediately. If you have followed Schapelle's fight for freedom at all, you understand how exhausting this whole ordeal must be for her and her family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If you have written to Schapelle, know that she appreciates it. If you are one of the people who reads about her, feels sorry for her and then does nothing....its not too late to do something....send your support...she needs it.

If nothing else keep your fingers crossed for her...the outcome of this appeal could be huge...it could potentially reaffirm her sentence, reduce it or it could set her free! Heres to hoping justice prevails!

ALREADY...there has been a delay. Within one hour of posting this entry, it was announced that the final appeal will be pushed back one week due to a public hoilday in Bali. It will now be held on Friday August 25th. More time for letters of support!!

Sending Sunshine Her Way

2006-07-10T00:02:00.000-04:00

July 10th... two years ago this day would have no doubt been filled with friends, family, gifts, cake and perhaps a drink or two. Today, it is simply another day. Schapelle decided last year prior to her birthday that she would not be celebrating it. She insists on staying 27 until she is free. This is one of those times when I woman defying her age is completely acceptable! So rather than wishing her a Happy Birthday, I as always send love, support and happy thoughts her way.

The Spirit of Schapelle Lives On

2006-07-08T21:50:00.000-04:00

Well I am so relieved to announce that the Spirit of Schapelle Forum is back in action!! It has been down for about a month due to a malicious attack by a person or persons with far too much time on their hands. It will take a little while to get things all sorted out again but must of the same supporters have found their way back and I am thrilled to see that! This is a truly remarkable group of dedicated supporters with huge hearts. If you have not yet checked out this website I urge you to do so. Schapelle needs as much support as possible from those who truly care about her and believe in her innocence.

I want to take a moment and give a huge high five to the admin at SOS for their tireless efforts to correct the problem. This was no small feat and your dedication is truly appreciated.

While I am handing out props, I think a huge one is in order for Roz Veevers who for the past 6 months has been working on a supporters scrapbook for Schapelle. People from Australia and all over the world have sent pictures, and letters to be included in this 87 page masterpiece which will be in Schapelles hands shortly. I know Schapelle will absolutely love every page in this book. It is great that she will be able to put a face to the name of all her supporters and to see that we are real people who believe in her. Fabulous job Roz!!

Headline Haircut

2006-07-06T09:31:00.000-04:00

How many people in the world celebrities excluded cut their hair and make the news for it? Well, if you are Schapelle Corby you do. This is just funny to me. When I first read the article about her giving herself a haircut, I rolled my eyes and thought it was ridiculous that a journo would seriously find that newsworthy.

No surprise really that she finally took the scissors to her beautiful locks. If I were living in a ridiculously hot climate (which, I'm not) I would be tempted to do the same thing...especially when the place you are stuck in is unsanitary...thats just asking for problems. So she grabbed some scissors and a razor and gave herself what reporters are calling a "butch look". Please. There is nothing butch about her or her hair. I think it looks fabulous.

Not only did this story mention her haircut but her fear of getting fat in jail because she eats a lot of KFC...again some fine reporting. My afterthoughts on this story differ slightly from my original. I try to think that anytime Schapelle gets in the news it can be a positive thing. It keeps her in the minds of those who may have forgotten about her. It reminds them that she is still there and still fighting. So while the story itself like many others is slightly silly, the point is she is still making the news...and that can't be all bad.

Prisoner Exchange

2006-07-06T09:16:00.000-04:00

There has been a lot of news lately on talks between Australia and Indonesia signing a prisoner exchange agreement. It is looking like the agreement may be signed by September. So where does this leave Schapelle? She has said many times that she is not sold on the idea of going back to Australia as a prisoner and I cant say that I blame her. She is not guilty of this crime. I know a lot of people would be thinking she should jump on board of this agreement because at least she would be be back at home. I know a lot of her reasoning behind not taking part in the transfer is due to the lack of freedom she would have in a structured Australian Maximum security prison.

In Bali, she is free to have visitors throughout the day until lockdown at 4:30. They can bring her food from outside which helps sustain her. That would not be the case in Australia. Also, Indonesia has remissions for good behavior which she is eligible to apply for on various days throughout the year mostly public holidays. She could end up having her sentence drastically reduced through this avenue.

Some of her family have expressed concern about leaving Indonesia because they are not sure where that would leave her legally. This makes me wonder if there are still possible legal avenues open to her. If it were me or a member of my family I would certainly want to make sure that all possibilities were exhausted before agreeing to leave the country. I would also be wondering about the chance of parole or reduction of sentence once she got back to Australia which I know has been weighing on the minds of Schapelle and the rest of the Corby family.

In the end, Schapelle will be the only one who will make this decision...and its a huge one. I support whatever choice she makes and would completely understand either one. I would love the outcome to be that when her plane touches down in Australia she was able to step off it a free woman..not a prisoner for a crime she did not commit. My heart is with her and her family as they weigh the options and try to come up with the best possible solution.

Intelligent Comments are Welcome

2006-06-26T00:15:00.000-04:00

So I guess I should address the fact that I deleted two comments from my blog. They were both from the same person and they were both just ridiculous. I created this site in support of Schapelle. I am not opposed to having an intelligent discussion with someone of opposing views. When I read the comments they were devoid of purpose and more an attack on me and my reasons for supporting Schapelle.

I do not support her to make myself feel like a better person as was suggested in the comments. I support her because she is a human being wrongly convicted of a serious crime and as a result could potentially spend the next 19 years in jail....
I understand that there are many people in the world that are suffering. I have found a cause that I truly believe in and I will stand beside her until the end.

So while I understand that there are people who do not support Schapelle, my aim is not to silence them but to hear their view to better understand where they are coming from. Those who are not informed about the case and are more interested in spitting out senseless garbage are not welcome on my site and their remarks will be deleted immediately.

The Changes

2006-06-25T11:14:00.000-04:00

As some of you may have already noticed the Spirit of Schapelle forum has not been available for the past couple weeks. It is most definitely a big loss but hopefully it will be up and running soon enough. Moderators are working on the technical problems so keep your fingers crossed.

An avid supporter of Schapelle and a computer whiz, Nev, has created a new forum in support of our girl. You can click on the link in my sidebar "Save Schapelle Forum," when you get there you can register and start getting in on the discussions. It will no doubt take a little while to get the old gang back online and to get our new supporters in on it as well but I am certain this will be a good thing.

Nev has also created a toolbar for everyone to download that has tons of amazing features as well as up to date information on Schapelle. Nev will be adding real information on my blog about the website as well as information on how to download it as clearly, I am no computer whiz haha. So check back for updates about it!

Opinions vary

2006-06-04T22:28:00.000-04:00

"I try not to make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect."

Since Schapelles arrest there have been 3 major opinion groups. There are those who believe she is innocent, those who believe she is guilty and those who are unsure about what they think. I enjoy hearing the opinions of others, and will always listen with an open mind so long as the opinion they are expressing is an informed and educated opinion.

This blog entry was sparked by a newspaper article written by Luke McIlveen and appeared in The Daily Telegraph on May 31st. Here is the link to the story for those who have not read it: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19309555-2,00.html

I think this article is lacking in purpose. I do not see the point the author is trying to make. He talks about Schapelle writing letters from prison to "complete strangers." He makes it sound as though she is sitting in jail mass producing letters which her family mails out at random. The people who she is mailing letters to are people who have sent their love and support to her in prison reminding her she is not alone.

As a person who has recived a letter from Schapelle, I feel like anything but "a complete stranger." Schapelles life in the last year and a half has been made public. Every detail that can be scooped up by the media has been plastered on the front page of newspapers, TV, radio and all over the internet leaving her wide open and vulnerable. She is no stranger to us. So when I write to Schapelle, I tell her things about myself. I figure if I know so much about her, she deserves to know who her support base is as well.

When I recieved the letter from Schapelle, I was touched see a quote about courage that I have always included in my letters to her. It made me feel so good to know that my letters are getting through and they really are giving her hope. I know many other supporters have recieved letters from her and no doubt felt the same way I did. I never expected that I would recieve a letter from Schapelle but it was so nice to get one. Schapelle is contacting her supporters, thanking them for their love, prayers and continued support. These people are not indifferent to her. We are aware of the horrific injustice she has been dealt. We care about her and will stand by her until something is done and she is free. So to say that Schapelle is pleading to an indifferent nation is absolutely ludacris. This article in my opinion is an example of a slow news day.

After Mr. McIlveen's article was published, there was an opinion survey asking people if they still cared. I think it is safe to say that the opinions were split 50/50. There were those who blatently said no they do not care, and then those who admitted they still stand behind Schapelle. What bothered me the most about the comments left by non supporters was that they were so uninformed about her case. Most of the non supporters were claiming things that were simply not true. People were claiming she had no reason to take a boogie board to Bali since her brother owned a surf shop there...not true. Others were saying she should have noticed the difference in weight of her bag...two things are crazy about this idea.

One, her brother was the one who initially carried her bag from the baggage claim to the customs counter. She never lifted it. Two, supposing she did notice the difference in weight. What would have happend if she opened it prior to going to customs and saw the weed? What could she have done? Informed customs that it wasn't hers? Right, they would have believed that for sure!

Others are simply saying it was in her bag, she is guilty. That to me suggests that they have not taken the time to examine her case. History has shown us that it would not be the first time drugs were planted in the luggage of an unwitting traveller. The behavior of the Customs Officers suggests something is not right.

I am not saying that everyone must believe in Schapelles innocence, although I wish they would. What I am suggesting is that those who believe she is guilty need to educate themselves about her case and form an educated opinion with a theory which runs deeper than "the drugs were in her bag therefore she is guilty."

Either way, at the end of the day the article shows that Schapelle is still on people's minds. Even her non supporters are still thinking about her. So in all, even though a poorly written article on Mr. McIlveens part, it still gets Schapelles name in the news and reminds people that she is still there, she is still struggling and we need to help her.

One Year Later

2006-05-27T00:16:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-14T21:05:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-09T22:41:00.000-04:00

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.

I Support Her 100%

2006-04-02T23:29:00.000-04:00

Many people have asked why I support Schapelle. I support Schapelle for two reasons. First, because I whole heartedly believe in her innocence. I think that there are certain cases that grab you in and make you listen. For me Schapelles case has done just that. And before any of you think that its because the way it was over-killed by the media, I can assure you I heard nothing of this case until April of 2005. I was living in Japan when the whole ordeal started and the Japanese news did not mention Schapelle once. I learned about Schapelle in Bali from a journalist who spoke very little of his personal opinion about the case. Upon returning to Japan, I was greatful to have the internet as a source to finding out more about Schapelle's case. I found the official website of the Corby Family, Forgein Prisoners Support Service and the Spirit of Schapelle all to be extremely informative websites. I also dabbled into websites which were Anti-Schapelle to gain a perspective from the other side of the coin. I wanted to look at reasons why people would believe she was guilty. For me the internet was an invaluable tool to learning more about Schapelles case and I assure you the way the case was played out in the media is not the reason I am a supporter. Instead, I am greatful to have the wealth of information available to me even so late into the case.

The second reason I support Schapelle and perhaps the most convincing reason is because she is a human being who has had her legal rights trampelled on. From the moment her nightmare began, Schapelle claimed her innocence. She did all she could to try to prove this. However, her pleas for justice fell upon deaf ears. She insisted the customs officers stop handling the marijuana with bare hands and fingerprint the bag, knowing that if her fingerprints were found on the bag, she would be undisputedly guilty. She also insisted her bags be weighed to confirm there would be a discrepancy between the original weight in Australia and the current weight in Bali. She asked for this again knowing that if her bags weighed the same this would prove the marijuana was in her bag from the moment she checked her bags in Australia. Why would she insist on this if she was guilty? Schapelle also requested that the marijuana be tested to determine its orgin. None of her requests were met. Instead the evidence was recently burned to signify the closure of the case.

The Australian Prime Minister John Howard has astonished me so far. From the beginning he insisted he was unable to interfere with the law in Indonesia. Which lets be honest, that makes sense. We cannot have one country walking into another and dictating who is guilty and who is not. Ok we get it. What Australia did promise was to ensure that Schapelles trial was fair. Well, I am no expert on the law of any country but I do know that when the Chief of Police in Bali admits that only 50% of the case was investigated and the he believes it should not have went to trial that is saying something. This is suggesting that Schapelle was not given a fair trial. Her evidence was contaminated and there were many questions left unanswered as to how the marijuana came to be put in her bag.

This case reeks of corruption and injustice. So, Mr. Howard your promise to ensure Schapelles trial was fair has fallen through. The world is watching you and we are waiting for you to do something!

Ways You Can Help Schapelle

2006-03-26T00:40:00.000-05:00

I am sure there are people out there who want to help Schapelle. You can certainly do that by sending her a letter or a care package to brighten her day. Do not underestimate how powerful a letter telling her you stand by her would be. Knowing she still has people who support her and believe in her innocence will give her more strength to continue her fight.

You can send letters or packages to Schapelle at:

Schapelle Corby
c/o LPM Kerobokan JL
Tangkuban Perahu Kerobokan,
Denpassar 80117 Bali, INDONESIA

Please remember that the prison guards can read the mail so use your head and do not write any form of insulting or negative words against Balinese people or their government as this will NOT help Schapelle. Instead, be polite and positive and try to boost her spirits.

For anyone interested in sending her a care package, Forgien Prisoners Support Service has made a list which is helpful if you are unsure about what to send:

Remember to itemize each item in your letter so that she can take appropriate actions when items are not included.

Primary essential items
1. Toothpaste
2. Soap
3. Talcum Powder
4. Laundry powder [Tip: Sard soap bar is lighter.]
5. Shampoo & Conditioner
6. Toothbrush
7. Moisturizers [Tip: sachets]
8. Tinea Cream
9. Dettol
10. Savlon
11. Chap sticks [dry lips]
12 Cracked heal cream [Tip: sachets]
13. Bandaids
14. Cotton Buds
15. Wet ones [refresher towels]
16. Mosquito coils & Repellent [RID]
17. Oil of Cloves [toothache]
18. Cold Sore Cream
19. Chux wipes
20. Dental Floss

Secondary essential items
21. Writing materials [pencil/envelope/paper]
22. Reading material
23. Postcard from home
24. Rubber Thongs
25. Ear Plugs
26. Hair brush
27. Cavat [temporary tooth filling]
28. Tobacco/cigarettes & lighter
29. Hat
30. Plain t-shirts
31. Clothes pegs
32. Packet noodles
33. Packet spices

Who Is Schapelle Corby?

2006-03-25T01:01:00.001-05:00

Last April, on a vacation to Bali, I learned about Schapelle Corby from an Australian journalist. Since then, I have been following Schapelles plight for freedom. I truly believe in my heart that she is innocent but most of all, I believe that this young woman has suffered a terrible injustice at the hands of her country's government as well as the government of Indonesia. So who is she and what is her story?

Schapelle Leigh Corby is a 28 year old woman from Queensland, Australia who was detained at the Denpassar Airport in Bali, Indonesia on October 8, 2004 when customs officers found 4.1 kg of unconcealed Marijuana in her Boogie Board Bag. From the moment the drugs were discovered in her bag, Schapelle has maintained her innocence. The injustice of Schapelles case began from the moment the drugs were discovered in her bag. The customs officers proceeded to handle the drugs with no gloves and refused to test the package for her fingerprints. When Schapelle requested her bags be weighed which she claimed would show a difference from the original weight recorded when she checked her bags in Sydney, Australia, the customs officers laughed at her. The customs officers did offer some sort of assistance to Schapelle: a list of names and numbers of people who may be able to help her "cut a deal."

Schapelle did not accept this offer and instead placed her faith in the corrupt Indonesian legal system which would later find her guilty of importing narcotics and on May 27, 2005, sentenced her to 20 years in prison. In November 2005 after a "successful" appeal, her sentence was reduced to 15 years. Unfortunately, the prosecutions appeal saw her original 20 year sentence reinstated on January 19, 2006. Schapelle is currently serving her sentence in Kerobokan Prison in Bali Indonesia.