Ted Maher now says "It was an accident"

court tv online ^

[Jalapeno]

New Yorker pleads with Monaco court not to prosecute him in arson deaths

Ted Maher, left, could spend the rest of his life in a Monaco prison if convicted of killing billionaire Edmond Safra and a nurse in a fire he set in 1999.

By John Springer Court TV The 1999 deaths of billionaire banker Edmond Safra and a private-duty nurse in a Monaco were a "terrible accident" and should not be prosecuted as intentional homicides, a New York man charged with setting the fire that killed them told an appeals court early this month.   Ted Maher, a 43-year-old nurse who had been on Safra's personal staff, made the claim that the deaths were accidental in prepared remarks he read in a hearing May 3 before three judges. The court is expected to issue a key ruling within weeks which could determine whether Maher goes home to upstate New York soon or if he will spend much of the rest of his life imprisoned in the tiny French principality on the Mediterranean. Edmond Safra A Monaco prosecutor asked the court at that closed-door hearing to uphold his decision to try Maher on charges of arson causing death. Maher's lawyers insist that although the defendant set a fire Dec. 3, 1999, in a wastepaper basket, he had no intention of harming anyone. Prosecutors say Maher changed his story quickly and confessed that he merely wanted to look like a hero in his wealthy employer's eyes when he set the fire, stabbed himself and cooked up a story about confronting two hooded intruders.   Maher's statement before the appeals court, which was obtained this week by Courttv.com, shows his frustration with a criminal justice system that his family claims is making Maher a scapegoat for the failure of police and firefighters to rescue Safra and nurse Vivian Torrente. Both died from toxic fumes spread by a fire inside Safra's fortified penthouse in Monaco.   Before the fire gutted the penthouse, Maher stumbled bleeding from knife wounds into the lobby of Safra's bank building to report the fire. Firefighters, however, were kept from launching a rescue mission for more than an hour after Maher was taken to a hospital because police believed the intruders were still inside.   "Today, I exercise my right to protest ...," Maher, with the support of his lawyers, began his remarks. "I fully realize how politically charged and biased this case has been.  Does this justify a wrongful outcome of justice or to pass it along to others?  Does this allow a blindness to the laws of the country?"   Maher than hit on a point that some of the lawyers on his five-member legal team stressed in arguments to the judges. "Without the intent can there be a crime?  I was involved in a terrible accident, in which I hold myself responsible for, to a point," Maher said. "So much time passed without intervention.  I am no more an arsonist than anyone here. Is an accident a crime?  No, it's not!  And that is my main point. This is and always will be a terrible accident for numerous parties concerned — nothing more or less."   Prosecutor Daniel Serdet could not be reached. Maher's lawyer in Monte Carlo, Donald Manasse, told Courttv.com after the hearing that the defendant was forceful and sincere while delivering his remarks to the court.   "When he speaks for himself he comes off very sincere," Manasse said. "He basically says, 'I'm only a nurse and a father. This is all much great than me and I am very much concerned that this is a political thing.' "   The death of Safra, one of the richest men in the world, touched of a legal battle between his widow, Lily Safra, and surviving brothers. The "brothers Safra," as they have become to be known in the European press, have been trying to get the pre-trial investigation to remain open out of a belief that perhaps Maher not act alone. Lily Safra's high-powered lawyer argued that there is no evidence that anyone other than Maher was responsible for the deaths.   According to Manasse, the prosecutor's argument was that although he believes Maher did not intend to cause the death, he is nonetheless responsible for the consequences of his actions for setting the fire. Serdet argued that Maher should be forced to answer the more serious arson causing deaths charge in criminal court and not the French equivalent of involuntary manslaughter.   If the judges rule that Maher can be prosecuted in criminal court, he could face life in prison if convicted. If the case is tried as a lesser crime in a correctional court, Maher would face only six years in prison. He has already been incarcerated for 30 months.   At the hearing, Maher's lawyers argued that the investigation and statements Maher made to police in 1999 about being attacked by intruders should be nullified on numerous procedural grounds. Manasse said that he argued that the first examining magistrate, Patricia Richet, failed to properly advise Maher of his right to counsel before she interrogated him on the record. The appeals court recently held that suspects should even be interrogated at their initial appearances, only asked if they want to make a statement, Manasse said.   Maher's lawyers also argued that a search of Maher's hotel room was illegal because he was not present and did not appoint a designee to be there. Although Maher's wife, Heidi Maher, was present for the search, Maher did not know that she was in Monaco. Heidi Maher claims that she was kidnapped by agents of Lily Safra and taken to a police station against her will so that her passport could be confiscated and shown to her husband to get him to confess.   Maher has dropped his claim that he was attacked by intruders but his lawyers and wife say that without evidence he intended to harm Safra or Torrente, the more serious charge is neither appropriate nor legal.   "Should the courts keep the arson charges against Ted, I will look forward to having Monaco, not Ted, on trial," Heidi Maher told Courttv.com. "[The defense] has prepared many worldwide experts to come into the trial to prove it was Monaco's police and firemen, not my husband, that killed Mr. Safra and Vivian Torrente. The same policemen that kidnapped both me and my brother to force Ted to confess. My husband was trying to save Mr. Safra and Vivian that night. The evidence clearly shows this. Monaco picked the wrong scapegoat. I will not give up my fight for showing the truth."   The court did not indicate how soon it will rule. A correctional trial — held for the lesser charges — could he conducted as early as July, if the court rules that way. A criminal trial most likely could not begin until September at the earliest.   Michael Griffith, a New York lawyer advising the defense, attended the hearing but was not permitted to address the court. We wanted them to know that if they do hold Ted to the higher charge, it's going to be a longer trial than they expected and we're going to put Monaco on trial," Griffith said. "If that happens people are going to find out that in Monaco it takes three years for an American to go to trial and when the wife goes over she gets kidnapped on the street."   Griffith said he expects a ruling by late May or the first week of June.

Comprehensive case coverage

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"When people start saying things like "how much is Monaco paying you" it gets me wondering about the legitimacy of that person"

When people like in post 2 start off calling everyone fools you have to wonder why.
Let me know when you have read all the facts, or if you have just read a thread were the title was altered to distort the facts.

[ethical]

No way would I read the infor in post 118 again.

[Conservative til I die]

Tonkin deserves an apology as this sort of personal attack is exactly the opposite of what I've come to know FreeRepublic stands for.

Bwahahaha! FreeRepublic, IMO almost solely stands for personal attacks these days. You should read the war on drug and Catholic threads.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"No way would I read the infor in post 118 again."

Ok, so believe the media and believe the altered thread title.
And don't forget to read the "reliable" sources in the Time Magazine and NY Times article.

Then ask yourself why no trial date since DEC of 1999

[Conservative til I die]

Should America allow its citizens, guilty or not, to spend 29 months in a foreign jail (or US jail for that matter) without a trial?

We have jurisdiction over how the Monaco government runs it's judicial system?

I guess then that the Sudan has a right to demand the freedom of Sudnaese-American Muslim that decides to kill a Christian on American soil, since that's not really a crime back in the homeland.

[ethical]

You know, if you would take the time to actually read the facts about things before reaching your conclusions, you'd probably find your entire viewpoint of life would change about a lot of things.

A lot of people have read the facts as presented by you and others, I did. They did not ring believable to me from the get go. What Ted is saying now does.

[ethical]

Did Mrs. Maher join to plead her husbands case or was she into conservative politics?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"What Ted is saying now does."

Your source? What EXACTLY is he saying?
Use a source other than the prosecution.

[Conservative til I die]

I find it amazing that some FReepers actually believe such sources as Time Magazine and the NY Times. They probably believe that Radio FR is not a reliable source of real facts.

Yes, because if its on the internet, it must be true.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"We have jurisdiction over how the Monaco government runs it's judicial system?"

Who said we did?
But Americans do stick up for Americans, no matter where they are.
Does the phrase "Innocent until proven guilty" mean anything to you?

[d4now]

You know what? You're right.

Personal attacks, downright ignorance, and the ever present "nuke 'em all" crowd makes a number of posters at FR the republican parties worst enemy.

But hey, I'm catholic and use "G_d Bless" on some of my posts out of respect for my Jewish friends.

Could be I'm sensitive. Could be I'm just sick of posters who have diarrhea of the mouth that I stepped in last night to defend a dear friend. A dear friend who has done more for FR and our country than most of us could ever dream of.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

With what happened to Pearl, would being coerced into a false confession be farfetched? I don't think so. After so long and no end in sight, might he have "confessed" in hopes of reaching a deal or settlement of some sort?

[Nita Nupress]

Who, exactly, is the source of all those items listed in post #118?
Who, exactly, is it that says that Monaco is hiding something?

First, don't you think that some of us would have been sued by now if Monaco and Lily Safra didn't have something to hide?  At least get one of those cute little cease and desist letters?  

The information in #118 came from several sources, some of which I can share.  Some of it came from hours of background  research; some of it came from inductive and deductive reasoning after reading it; and some of it came from watching the particular combination of  well-known people with reputations to protect get involved in this case.  And yes, some of it came from corresponding with various members of the family.  

By the way, have you read the two or three places on this thread where I've stated I'm not 100% sure that Mr. Maher is  innocent?  What is it about those statements you don't understand?  And are you telling us that you're 100% sure that this American is guilty?  If you're not, does that mean your mind is already made up without even seeing the evidence?

Is there anything at all for me to hang my hat on with regard to giving Maher a benefit of the doubt? 

Does that mean you're okay with an American being thrown in jail for life without being allowed to all his evidence into trial?  Just what would it take for you to "give Maher the benefit of the doubt?"   What exactly is it that you need "to hang your hat on?"  What would it take for you to even entertain the thought that this man just may have been a victim of a Russian mob hit and Monaco's need for a tidy little wrap-up?

Probably something like an autopsy or DNA analysis, right?   

Gee, wouldn't that be nice?  

[Nita Nupress]

Did Mrs. Maher join to plead her husbands case or was she into conservative politics?

I have no idea. Is that important to you like it is to sinkspur?

Should a man's wife's political leanings have any bearing on his ability to present his evidence and receive a fair trial?

[Nita Nupress]

A lot of people have read the facts as presented by you and others, I did. They did not ring believable to me from the get go. What Ted is saying now does.

You are certainly entitled to that opinion.

[PhilDragoo]

FREE TED MAHER NOW, MONACO

DAY 902 WRONGLY IMPRISONED WITHOUT TRIAL ON EXTORTED FALSE CONFESSION

Thomas Sancton in Time of 12-20-99 uses three negative sources: an ex-wife deemed unfit by the court who lost custody of the son; a former neighbor identified by police as a troublemaker; a person claiming to have been a landlord--a fraud. Sancton chose to ignore my inquiries.

Monaco prosecutor Daniel Serdet claimed Ted was using drugs, yet Monaco's Princess Grace Hospital tested Ted for drugs and alcohol and the results were negatif negatif negatif. This was shown on DatelineNBC November 21, 2000, "Who Killed the Billionaire?"

It was on that program that Israeli journalist Boaz Bismuth told NBC's Sara James that one of the Safra security team told him "it was the lady [Lily Safra]" who sent the security team to the chateau La Leopolda.

Ted's knife wounds required approximately 100 staples and numerous transfusions. He was taken to the hospital, and an hour later "a sudden conflagration" occurred which was noted in three places in the fire report. The fire report also noted numerous sources of ignition and the use of accelerants, something Ted never admitted to.

The burglar alarm was disconnected July 1, 1999 per the head of Monaco Securite.

Ted and Vivian were hired that month.

At the time of the attack, police did not respond. They cannot produce the tape of emergency calls for that day, December 3, 1999, but they can for the 2d and the 4th.

Ted then put one of Laura Slatkin's scented candles in a wastebasket and held it under a smoke detector. The first alarm went in at 4:54 am yet police did not "find" the bodies until 7:45 am, nearly three hours later.

Ted was forced to sign a false confession after three days in four-point restraint, catheterized, sleep-deprived and threatened with his wife's detainment. Monaco police had his wife and had taken her passport. They had played tapes of the children and shown pictures of the children--in New York. A nice touch.

Having signed the false confession in French which Ted does not read, write or speak, he is in jeopardy under Monaco law to renounce it. He is also ill-served by Georges Blot and Donald Manasse, for whom the confession is a given.

Michael Griffith is attempting to defend Ted but was forbidden to speak at the appeal.

Jim Williams was finally freed from the Ecuadoran jail after some 1400 days wrongly imprisoned on a DEA-engineered money-laundering frame. Griffith assisted, and Martha Melzow was with our Consulate there as she is now in Marseilles.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I still have a copy of Ted's knife wounds on my server if you need it.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Almost 200 posts and still not one explanation from the "Ted must be guilty" crowd as to why still no trial date set.
How soon they forget the phrase "Innocent until proven guilty."
If they ever actually read the threads they would understand that people supporting Ted
are supporting his right to a fair and speedy trial OR his release if Monaco will not set a trial date.

[Lancey Howard]

Whoa...
I have enjoyed your posts for several years, mostly as Nita Nuprez, and I never read one like #193. You are a tad touchy on this subject, no? I don't think I ever declared myself one way or the other - - I certainly have no reason to trust the government of Monaco or the characters involved there. I also have no reason to trust Ted Maher or his associates. In fact, it appears he has admitted to setting the fire that killed two people.

I ask for "something to hang my hat on" to give Maher the benefit of the doubt, and instead of cold, hard sourced facts, I get posts like yours berating me for not blindly jumping on the 'save Ted' bandwagon.

I agree that the whole situation stinks to high heaven, and Monaco has done nothing to lend itself any credibility, but Monaco is not the United States, and to expect that place to do things the way we do is naive. Ted definitely did not choose a very excellent adventure when he decided to go be a nurse for some foreign millionaire. Well, we shall see how it pans out. In the meantime, I won't be contacting George Bush to look into the matter.

Regards,
LH

[Lancey Howard]

P.S. - Just look at that picture.
Ted is obviously a crazed psychopath.

Regards,
LH