Cellmates 'giving Corby hell' (Australian woman who recieved 20 years in Indonesian prison)

CHAPELLE Corby is suffering cruel abuse and racial taunts in jail as Indonesian authorities move to keep her in prison for life.

The Indonesian Government yesterday backed the prosecution bid to toughen Corby's 20-year jail sentence for smuggling 4.1 kilograms of marijuana into Bali's airport last October.

"The 20 years in jail handed down by the Denpasar District Court is too light," Indonesian Attorney-General Abdul Rahman Sale told the Bali Post newspaper.

As the reality of the marathon jail term sank in, Corby, 27, issued a heartfelt thank you to the nation.

"Thank you Australia. Thank you for standing by me," she said through her lawyers.

IT emerged long-term inmates of the dirty and overcrowded prison where she is being held have life expectancies of only 10 years.

MEMBERS of the Bali 9 were left dispirited after hearing for the first time that Corby had been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

THE Federal Government is offering to pay for the services of two top QCs with expertise in appeals in Indonesian law.

Corby's Indonesian lawyer, Vasu Rasiah, said she was struggling inside the notorious Kerobokan prison.

"Schapelle is very emotional - sometimes she is smiling, sometimes she is crying," he said.

"Five or 10 years maybe you can understand, but 20 years - she just can't comprehend the time frame."

Ms Corby's cousin, who gave her name only as Nina, described the Australian's jail cell as a "disgusting, dirty and overcrowded place".

"She says the Indonesians inside are giving her hell because she wears western clothes and she can't speak Indonesian," she said.

The jail, near the Balinese capital Denpasar, was built for 366 prisoners, but holds 525. Among them are the Bali bombers.

The "Smiling Assassin" Amrozi - so-called because he laughed when punished for his role in killing 88 Australians - has yelled abuse at Corby as she tried to exercise.

Kerobokan prison doctor Anak Agung Gede Hartawan said common diseases included respiratory ailments and skin conditions, while many prisoners complained of headaches.

AIDS/HIV was rife, because corrupt officials turned a blind eye to drug abuse - indeed they are implicated in supplying them.

Dr Hartawan said 11 prisoners were confirmed carriers of HIV/AIDS, but dozens more were thought to have the virus.

The squat toilet is near the food preparation area and the risk of contracting gastric disease is high.

For up to 20 hours a day she will be confined to her cell, where she will sleep on a mat on a tiled floor under a fluorescent light that is never switched off.

Chief judge Linton Sirait defended the guilty verdict, dismissing public angst the decision has caused.

Corby's mother Rosleigh had screamed after the verdict that the judges would lose sleep over their decision, but yesterday Judge Sirait said he had slept "very well last night".

"A judge is not allowed to bring his emotion to the case, so the judge decides in accordance to the law," he said.

Corby's family last night issued a statement appealing to Australians to continue visiting Bali.

"Do not boycott Bali. We don't want the Balinese people to hurt any more," it said.

"We just want the Australian people to boycott Qantas flights and direct your anger at Jakarta.

"Thank you to all the Australian people for their support. We are not finished yet."

"She's been strong up until now, believing justice will prevail. But now . . . she's not going to cope."

Corby's Australian lawyer said it was likely they would accept the Australian Government's offer of legal assistance.

Solicitor Robin Tampoe said any assistance from Perth QCs Tom Percy and Mark Trowell, experts in appeals and Indonesian law, would be welcome.

The Australian Government had urged the Corby defence team to accept the pro bono offer.

Mr Percy yesterday warned that Corby risked having her jail term extended to life if the defence team appealed.

But criminologist Professor Paul Wilson, who testified in favour of Corby during the trial, said a win was not out of the question.

20 years for a first time offender, and it merits nothing more than brief coverage in a local paper. Of course, this man isn't a beauty school student who can cry up a storm at the time of sentencing.

http://yorknewstimes.net/stories/051705/localnews_lewis17.shtml

Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Terry Lewis sentenced to 20 years

By Melanie Wilkinson
staff writer

YORK -- Terry Lewis, 49, of York, has been given a two-decade sentence for delivering drugs.

"You were a community leader and people looked up to you. You should have been a role model, not a drug pusher. Anything less than a substantial sentence would depreciate the seriousness of this crime."
-- Judge Alan Gless

The scene played out in District Court yesterday afternoon, as Judge Alan Gless made his final decision.

Lewis pled no contest earlier to amended charges that he distributed methamphetamine, which is a Class III felony. He was facing a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison.

He was originally charged with distribution of a controlled substance in close proximity to a school, on both counts, but that enhancement was dropped as part of a plea agreement. Those were Class II felonies that would have carried a possible maximum sentence of 50 years in prison. Also dropped as part of the plea agreement was a charge of possession of meth, a Class IV felony, which carried a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Lewis was first arrested last September for possession of methamphetamine. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as the president of the York Chamber of Commerce and was the funeral director at Lewis Funeral Chapels.

At that time, Lewis was released from jail on bond, and approximately a month later was again taken into custody, this time charged with the more serious crimes. It was also alleged that the use of embalming fluid accompanied the distribution of meth.

During Lewis' earlier chang-of-plea hearing, York County Attorney Randy Stoll said an informant arranged a drug buy with Becky Rivero, Lewis' co-defendant, at Lewis Funeral Chapel in York. "Two men, one being Lewis, and Rivero were present, with Rivero talking to the informant while the two men weighed and bagged the meth. The informant was wired with a recording device. At one point, one of the people in the room said 'This is the best (stuff) we've ever had.'"

"They continued to have a discussion about the price, and the informant asked whether or not the meth had been underweighed. At that point," Stoll continued, "Lewis could be clearly heard saying, 'We don't cheat on dealing. I'm a member of the DDEA, the Dope Dealer Ethics Association.' Following the buy, the informant turned the substance over to the state patrol. It tested positive as meth, and weighed .42 grams."

Stoll continued to describe the second drug buy, again with a wired informant, on Oct. 21, which also took place at Lewis Funeral Chapel. He said this time, the meth returned to the state patrol weighed 1.93 grams, with a 44 percent purity.

Lewis' attorney, Scott Grafton, addressed the court prior to sentencing.

"My client's first encounter with law enforcement was after he was 45 years old, for a traffic violation. At the age of 48, there were, however, a series of events that caused his life to unravel," Grafton said. "The number one reason was the fact that his wife was losing an eight-year battle with cancer, which she lost. He then began using drugs and alcohol, unfortunately, to cope with that loss."

"Prior to this, he had been consistently employed for many years, had a bachelor's degree and was a certified funeral home director," Grafton said. "Since his arrest, he hasn't been able to bond out, and has been in jail for 184 days. Then, his father passed away in early 2005, and he was unable to attend his funeral. As far as the seriousness of this crime and the consequences, he's had many. He's had sacrifices and consequences because of all this -- he lost his job, he couldn't attend his father's funeral, he lost the respect of the business leaders in the community. He turned to drugs and alcohol to deal with the loss of his wife, that's how this started."

"He's not violent, he's not a predator," Grafton said. "The co-defendant (Becky Rivero) led my client this way, the way he went, after 48 years (of another life)."

Grafton said that because Lewis had "a complete lack of criminal past, he would be an appropriate candidate for Intensive Supervised Probation (ISP). I believe he needs counseling and I don't think ISP would depreciate the seriousness of this, considering the sacrifices and consequences he's already faced."

"His wife died in April, 2004, and it was just shortly after that when Rivero moved in," York County Attorney Stoll countered. "He left two kids, 13 and 17 -- and now they're living outside the home because he was arrested. He was convicted of delivery while these kids were there. The house was found to be a terrible mess, not fit for anyone to live inside. And the people that were coming and going . . ."

"This is about the choices he made," Stoll continued. "At the time (his sons) needed him most, he abandoned them for meth and another woman. Those kids are the victims in this crime, not Terry Lewis."

Lewis was given a chance to speak, during which he said, "There was no delivery of drugs while the kids were in the house. Yes, it took place in my house, but not until after (the children) were taken. I am very sorry I lost my kids."

"You certainly did," Judge Gless said, before handing down the sentence.

"Treatment requires a long enough sentence to ensure you complete it," the judge said. "I have to consider that, and I also have to consider that you were on probation for driving under the influence while you were helping other people become addicts. We've been battling meth in this county for some time, and today's message is that we have to make this stop, one way or another."

Lewis was given a sentence of 10-15 years in prison for one count, and 10-20 years on the other -- to be served concurrently. He could be eligible for parole in five years, the judge said. He was also given credit for 125 days already served.

Incidentally, Rivero pled no contest to two counts of delivery yesterday in District Court. She will be sentenced at a later date.

It is okay when the draconian sentenced are meted out in the United States. It is only bad when it is done in a foreign land against a pretty girl who cries up a storm after being caught.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/print.cfm?story=84911&ran=178354

Man gets 20 years in prison on drug charges
By JOHN HOPKINS, The Virginian-Pilot
© April 13, 2005
Last updated: 10:53 AM

Video: Man jailed after allegedly smuggling drugs on airplane

CHESAPEAKE — A 36-year-old San Diego man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday for transporting drugs by commercial airline into Chesapeake.

Police seized 12.9 pounds of marijuana and $203,108 when they arrested Darrell D. Bell and an accomplice at a Greenbrier extended-stay hotel in late 2003. Bell told police he had transported 220 pounds of marijuana and another 108 pounds on other occasions.

“I’d just like to apologize to the court and the people of Virginia for the mistake I’ve made,’’ said Bell, a father of three and former employee at an elementary school in San Diego.

Circuit Judge V. Thomas Forehand Jr. sentenced Bell on charges of transporting drugs into the commonwealth, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm with drugs and conspiracy. His accomplice, Kevin Allen Key, 36, of Las Vegas, is scheduled to be sentenced June 3.

The two men flew into Hampton Roads from San Diego, rented two rooms at the Sun Suites of Chesapeake at 1520 Crossways Blvd., and sold drugs in pound quantities, according to Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kenneth A. Phillips, who prosecuted both cases. They kept the drugs in one room and the money in another.

“He stated that he pushed in the bad neighborhoods,’’ Phillips said. “He stated that he sold nothing smaller than a pound.’’

Although airport security was increased after Sept. 11, 2001, Bell admitted to police that they transported the drugs by air, according to the prosecution.

Jo Anne Spencer, Bell’s attorney, said her client wasn’t the leader of the drug scheme. She would have argued at trial that her client actually purchased the drugs here, she said.

He failed to make money during his first trip to Chesapeake, she said in arguing for a lighter sentence. Bell had lived an exemplary life before the crime, Spencer said.

“We’re talking about marijuana,’’ Spencer told the judge. “We’re not talking about cocaine or heroin. We’re not talking about any hard-core, addictive drugs.’’

Forehand called the crime a “rather elaborate and sophisticated criminal enterprise,’’ and one of the biggest of its kind he’s seen. He dismissed the notion that marijuana is a lesser drug.

“It’s still illegal,’’ Forehand said. “It’s still deemed by many experts as harmful. ... ’’

Bell was a “noon-duty assistant’’ at Knox Elementary in San Diego, a position that required him to organize and oversee children at lunch and recreation, said Steven Baratte, a school spokesman.

Bell entered a conditional guilty plea in February, a move that will allow him to appeal an earlier court ruling by another judge concerning the suppression of evidence in his case. His accomplice, Key, was convicted by a jury in January of conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

The jury recommended a sentence of 31 years in prison for Key.

Reach John Hopkins at 222-5221 or at john.hopkins@pilotonline.com.

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