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"You can be sure many 'deals' have been cut over these 60+ days."

Yes, but if all else fails, the REALLY BIG DEALS are yet to be cut. I lived on Aruba for a time 30+ yrs. ago and I was hesitant to say anything about how their laws work for "insiders" because I thought they had perhaps changed since then. (At least some of them have changed because they apparently no longer have one set of laws for Arubans, and another set for residents of European descent.) Anyway, someone on FR posted this link to a blog that a blogger wrote who has done some investigation of present Aruban law. Go to this link and scroll down to 2nd article titled "Dutch Law for Dummies" dated 7/2/05. This describes what I remember of the Aruban practice of Dutch law - who do you know and how much you have to pay to make it go away. I think PVDS will try everything first, but if Joran is charged, this will be the ULTIMATE DEAL in the case.

http://www.misfitting.com/archives/cat_natalee_holloway.html

From the article:

It is quite possible that, behind the scenes, Paulus Van Der Sloot is attempting to file an appeal against the writ of summons.

As long as the case has not gone to trial, he can ask that another court declare the case closed.

If the lawyers for Joren and the Kalpoe brothers can negotiate a “transaction” with the prosecutor (see above), it is possible that the boys can never be prosecuted for murder if Natalee’s body is discovered in the future. Astonishing, no?

In the event that the case goes to trial, assuming the prosecutors collect enough evidence, the boys will be tried by one to three judges.

There is no jury, and the judges ask all the questions. In Aruba, a defense attorney can cross-examine witnesses, unlike in the Netherlands. (We should send Mark Geragos to Amsterdam.)

Victims or the families of victims have few rights in the Aruban justice system.

Their role is limited to witness or informer during the investigation and pretrial stage.

When the victim is not a citizen, she essentially has no rights at all.

http://www.misfitting.com/archives/cat_natalee_holloway.html