I watched the HBO documentary called "Ganja Queen". It is about this women Schapelle Corby.
Now I'm going to list a few links. I strongly suggest watching the documentary first, or the videos with the FACTS!
There are alot of different views, opinions, and versions on this story.
It is up to you on what you think really went down.
I would love to know what you think.
Here is a little info into the history.
Schapelle Leigh Corby (born 10 July 1977) is an Australian woman convicted and imprisoned in Indonesia for drug smuggling.
Corby is serving a 20-year sentence (for which she has received approximately five months in remissions) for the importation of 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) of cannabis into Bali, Indonesia. She was convicted and sentenced in Bali on 27 May 2005 by the Denpasar (Indonesia) District Court and currently serves her sentence in Kerobokan Prison, Bali. On appeal, her conviction and sentence were confirmed with finality by the Indonesian Supreme Court. No further legal manoeuvres on her part are possible; she may petition for clemency from Indonesia's president, but would have to admit guilt to do so.[1][2]
Corby has maintained from the time of her arrest that the drugs were planted in her boogie board bag and that she did not know about them. [3] Her trial and conviction were a major focus of attention for the Australian media. Her due release date, with remissions, is currently 12 April 2024. [4]
In June 2008, the Nine Network in Australia broadcast a two-part documentary called Schapelle Corby: The Hidden Truth. An edited version of the documentary was renamed Ganja Queen and aired on HBO in North and South America, before being released on DVD. [5]
Controversy
The following points have been identified by many[who?] as flaws in the way Corby and her team presented her case:[citation needed]
- The rejection of an offer of experienced defence barristers: After the verdict the Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, revealed that the government had offered the free help of two highly skilled Queen's Counsel and that this offer was rejected. However, the family took up the offer for the High Court appeal but after more damaging allegations of bribery by the barristers, further assistance was refused. [22]
- The Australian Federal Police alleged that an offer to DNA test the cannabis was refused by Schapelle Corby's legal team.[23][24]. It was revealed in an ABC interview with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, that the Indonesian Police rejected the Australian Government's request to have the AFP test the drugs. [25]
- Failure to attack the weaknesses of forensic evidence. The bag of cannabis was not weighed or fingerprinted by the Indonesians. Tim Lindsay of the University of Melbourne, an expert on Asian law, suggested that a greater focus on the weaknesses of the forensic evidence could have been helpful. [13]
- Use of hearsay evidence: No substantive probative evidence was presented to back up the suggestion that baggage handlers had put the drugs in Corby's bag. Hearsay evidence from John Patrick Ford was a distraction and had no chance of being accepted as having probative value.
- Other agendas: Defence lawyers and other Corby supporters often seemed to be equally interested in their own publicity and celebrity as they were with Corby's interests.
- Trial by media: Seemingly no effort was made to lower the profile of the case in the media. Even minor issues were the subject of headlines. The high profile of the case made it impossible to come to a quiet, negotiated settlement with the Indonesian justice system.
- Persons associated with Corby publicly attacked the Indonesian judges and legal system in the media. (Notably Ron Bakir suggested that bribery was inherent in the system.)
Criticism of the prosecution's case included:
- The bag of cannabis was not fingerprinted by the Indonesian custom officials or police, nor analysed to determine its source of origin.
- No attempt was made to search or weigh Corby's other luggage, even after she demanded it, though again, there was no obligation upon Indonesian police to do so. Her belongings were searched after she was taken into custody.
- CCTV cameras at the Bali airport could corroborate or contradict Corby's account of what happened in customs. The prosecutor said the tapes were not checked. The defence requested to see them. Corby's mother claims that Schapelle requested the CCTV footage be shown in court, to which the judge replied, "We will use that if we need to". Corby's mother claims the footage was never shown.[26]
- According to the documentary "Ganja Queen", which aired on HBO, the Closed-Circuit TV Cameras (CCTV) within the airport were not operable the day of Corby's flight.
- In an interview, the prosecutor explained how the size of the bag containing the cannabis was similar to the boogie board bag.
Now here are some of the links I have found on her story. They also have ALOT of interesting facts on the case and honestly I just really feel for this women.
I mean even if she did do it, which I feel she DID NOT I don't think a 20 year sentence in Bali is fair at ALL.
I mean you have people who have done far worse and gotten far less time!
Her main website
Link
Link
Again I would love to hear what others think on this matter.
This goes to show you, you never know what can happen. You days of freedom can be taken in a heartbeat.
Don't take what you have for granted, don't have to know what you really had until it is gone...
Stay Up Everyone!
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