This could be Your Daughter!

"There but for the Grace of God go I"

16:04 AEST Fri May 27 2005

A Bali court has sentenced Australian Schapelle Corby to 20 years in prison for trying to smuggle 4.1kgs of marijuana into Indonesia. Judges also fined Corby 100 million rupiah ($A13,875).

Her lawyers immediately said they would appeal. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence.

Earlier, Corby, 27, broke down in tears as the panel of three judges in the Denpasar District Court said the charges against her of smuggling marijuana had been "convincingly" proven.

Soon after, they formally declared her guilty and passed sentence.

"SAVE Schapelle Corby APPEAL"

Tuesday May 31 2005

Posted by Rod and Deborah

We feel so sad for Schapelle Corby, our hearts go out to her. She doesn't deserve to spend one day in a Balinese Jail. The judges had preconceived ideas about Schapelle and deemed her guilty without a fail trial. The judges seem more afraid of the fundamental Muslim groups than seeing anybody have a fair go.

The allegations regarding baggage handlers should have been taken into account, and the fact that the evidence of the marijuana was contaminated, without being properly fingerprinted.

Looking at the way that Schapelle was treated during the court sessions, you could almost put yourself back into medieval Europe and think that the whole scene was nothing more than a witch hunt. The justice system in Indonesia might have come from a European background of French and Dutch systems, but the system in Indonesia is so corrupt and barbaric that it can not be named justice.

The Bali Bombers are seen as heroes and young people traveling to Indonesia are nothing but prey for criminals (both within Australia and in Indonesia).

Monday May 30 2005

Posted by Verena

Why don't the scumbags who planted the drugs in Schappelle's bag now stand up and admit that they did it. They will only be dealt with here in Australia and probably receive a minimal sentence.

Maybe they have been sitting back thinking "oh well poor Schappelle, they'll find her innocent and we won't have to worry about it any more".

Well they didn't, now stand up and show some compassion and take responsibility and let the authorities know that Schappelle is innocent. We all need to show support for our fellow Aussie and BOYCOTT BALI AND ALL INDONESIAN PRODUCTS AND THOSE COMPANIES THAT SELL THEM.

We can do this by checking the labeling on all packaging and just not going to Bali. Don't send any money to help Indonesia and let their own corrupt government help them rebuild their own country. That's all they want from us... OUR MONEY.

Well, we'll hurt them where it matters. No tourists, No Money, Nobody buying their products. Come on Aussies help get Schappelle home. Don't stop talking about it and stand up and be heard.

Sunday May 29 2005

Posted by the Ryan's

I am writing in outrage and pure sadness at the way this beautiful woman was treated.

We have to do something, we can tie our yellow ribbons which I plan on doing, donate money which I also plan on doing... Let us take it one step further, an for the next 20 years lets lose Bali as a tourist spot.

If it can happen to her, it can happen to us all. If you are guilty like the Bali 9, they deserve what they get.

She is innocent and why wasn't the fact she did not see her luggage since departing from Brisbane Airport being part of the court procedure?

BOYCOTT BALI WHO NEEDS IT ANYWAY ?

There are many other places even more desirable and with less child pornography and prostitution. The judges were worried about the effect of the drugs she did not bring in, what about their lack of laws or imprisonment for the way they sell their own children.

Set Schappelle free or we DON'T SET FOOT THERE AGAIN. LET'S GET TOGETHER ON THIS ONE AND SAVE AN INNOCENT AND OBVIOUSLY STRONG WOMAN.

PLEASE DO SOMETHING.

All my family and friends

Posted by Heidi

God if Schappelle is guilty for the tiny amount she had on her ...)which I believe she is innocent) what do you call the BALI 9 ... it wasn't even taped to her body for God's sake....

Be strong Schappelle!

Yes I know that is easy to say when you are sitting at a computer and can leave whenever you feel like it but this girl is INNOCENT ... let her come home to her family.

Saturday May 28 2005

Posted by Joanne

It breaks my heart that an innocent girls life has been taken away from her. Schappelle Corby should be home where she belongs, and free.

The Australian Government has not done enough to support her.

I think all Aussies should boycott Bali altogether. I think they have proved how much they dislike the Australian people (except I'm sure, when they need our financial assistance).

The mastermind of the Bali bombings was given a 3 year prison sentence and Schappelle 20 years, when they know she is innocent. I will continue to pray for Schappelle. If I were in her position, I would not have survived as long as she has, let alone another 20 years.

I hope that the people who are responsible for the drugs planted in her bag are found, and they should be forced to trade places with Schappelle. The Australian Government should be offering a reward for any information that may set her free.

Posted by the Debbie and Family

I really feel for Schapelle, whether she is guilty or innocent, I find that the case was so unfair.

For me I could find that by reading her body language and watching her reactions that she is innocent, but I know this is not enough to go on. But it showed through and I feel that's why there is so much interest in her case.

I'm tired of people questioning the amount of attention her case has received, as I think it's natural to care for someone who's body language reads innocent ... I wish more media coverage was about human concern, example other Australians trapped in trouble overseas ... Maybe this could be the new reality TV show that help us help them and also shows us what to watch for when travelling ... thank you, Debbie

Posted by Rodney

My wife, daughter (aged 9) and I are horrified at the treatment Schapelle has received during this ordeal.

We have made a joint decision never to travel overseas and only hope that by a combined Australian effort that justice will be done and Schapelle will return to Australia sooner than later.

We wish her the very best and hope the news that Australia stands strong for her does find it's way to her.

Posted by Matthew from Japan.

One reads with abject horror, to this testimonial to the bureaucratic ineptness of the Australian governments own justice system. Weak pathetic gutless wonders are the vast majority of the leaders and politicians of this nation .... Shame on You All.

My infant son was abducted in Japan, beaten and tortured by my ex wife's family and has been hospitalised with serious head injuries and severe bodily brusing since age 10 months.

My son is an Australian National citizen and has just turned 3 years of age. I have received very little support from the Australian government regarding my sons serious matter, which has been documented in graphic detail, with supporting evidence from eye witnesses and many legal and medical documents.

I was assaulted by six men during a vicious robbery attempt to steel $100,000 of my business money. Covered in blood and my cash bag taken I was arrested by the police who were called to the scene.

Regardless of the obvious facts I was charged with assault and battery, locked up in the police headquarters for ten days, suffering from concussion with no medical treatment allowed and acquired a kidney infection from lack of liquids while detained.

I was dragged around town in handcuffs publicly and came within a split hairs distance of doing Two Years in Jail in Tokyo and was fined $1,500 by the prosecution.

No assistance from the Australian Embassy in Osaka:

Go figure Why anybody from Australia would fly into Bali from an International airport in Australia carrying 4kg's of pot. You can walk up Bali beach from one end to the other and be accosted to buy pot for peanuts 1/2 dozen times or more in one day.

Though you see no arrests from the cops who patrol the beaches from bikes and cars on the esplanade?.

Australian politicians are to blame for Ms Corby's incarnation in Bali.

Posted by Susan from the U.S.A.

This is absolutely ridiculous!

I support Corby 100%. I was to attend a wedding in Bali this year. After hearing about this I will never spend one red cent in Bali.

This is sickening, I pray that Corby will be returned safely to her country and will do all I can to show my support.

Sincerely,

Susan

Friday May 27 2005

Posted by Wendy, David and Kathryn

BOYCOTT BALI

BOYCOTT QANTAS

REFUSE TO CHECK IN LUGGAGE AT AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS UNTIL SECURITY SCREENING OF BAGGAGE HANDLERS AND CAMERAS ARE INSTALLED IN ALL BAGGAGE HANDLING AREAS.

PRESSURE AUSTRALIAN POLICE TO CATCH AND CONVICT THE PERSON/PEOPLE WHO PLANTED THE DRUGS ON SCHAPPELLE SO THAT THE INDONESIANS HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEND HER HOME

The fact is that an INNOCENT Australian is facing an appalling sentence in an unsympathetic foreign country which is biased against Australians MAINLY DUE TO DISGUSTINGLY INADEQUATE SECURITY in Australian airports.

Whilst I am outraged at a legal system that is so weighted against the defendant, Schappelle is in this situation PRIMARILY due to circumstances in Australian airports.

I believe that there is corruption at high levels in Australian airports hierarchy that must be personally benefiting from the trade in drugs that has been going on amongst Australian airports via customers' luggage. There is NO OTHER EXPLANATION the lack of monitoring of baggage handling in this age of terrorism where the safety issues alone are so much in the spotlight.

Australians, we need to send a message to the airports and airlines that we will not permit another person to be put in the situation Schappelle is in, and we need to apply public pressure of a magnitude that Australian police catch the people who planted drugs on Schappelle so that the evidence can be presented in her appeal so she can go free.

The judges in the case said that her defence had not been able to show who had in fact planted the drugs and that is why they found her guilty. Well, lets find the low life people that are letting this girl suffer for their crime and incompetence, and do it fast so that Schappelle' s appeal can have the evidence these Indonesians want that was not available at her trial.

As everyday people the only way we can make a difference is with our voices and our feet. We have to boycott Bali as a tourist destination, we have to protest at travel agents offering holidays to Bali, we have to CAUSE CHAOS AT AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS BY REFUSING TO CHECK IN OUR BAGS so that the ruckus is sufficiently harmful to make the culture change and pressure governments to intervene to the full extent to set Schappelle free.

Schappelle, we will not forget about you. We are all grieving for you and outraged by the court's decision and the corruption in Australia that put you in this position. We are determined not to let you stay in prison for a crime you did not commit. You are admirable for your courage and strength in the way you have handled yourself throughout this horrible ordeal which is far from over. DO NOT GIVE UP.

God says "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you".

Thousands of Australians are praying for you and your speedy release from prison. It will happen. Somehow, it will happen. It must.

Posted by Jo

I have just heard the results of Schappelle Corby's case and like the majority of Australians that believe her innocent am now more convinced than ever that Indonesia is a third world country.

I will NEVER go to Bali or Indonesia and believe that any Australian that believes in her innocence should BOYCOTT everything that is Balinese or Indonesian and not travel to either of those countries.

They don't want us there. All they want from Australia is our dollars. Our government keeps handing out money paid by Australian taxpayers to these countries when it would be better spent on our pathetic hospital systems and the rest of our failing infrastructure.

At least when a person from there has to face our courts, they get a fair trial and if found guilty, it is within a judicial system that believes in "beyond reasonable doubt". This could have been one of mine, our your children, or you yourself.

BOYCOTT INDONESIAN TRAVEL, TRADE AND PRODUCTS

Posted by Marie

I cannot believe the news today .... 20 years, and even then they can appeal this and try for a more severe sentence.

This poor girl and her family have been through enough, and our government has to try to bring her home ..... and I'll say this, the bombing didn't do as much damage for Bali and its tourist trade as much as this perversion of justice is going to ... who wants to go to Bali now?

Not me that's for sure ... they have their hands out for our bloody money one way or the other but in return not a speck of justice! She was judged guilty before the trial even started. They can get stuffed as far as I'm concerned ...

Is there any where I can send a letter of support to either Schappelle or her family ... I know my words hold no weight or give little comfort at this time but at least they will know I care and they are all in my prayers.

Thursday May 26 2005

Posted by Michael

I myself am a Canadian citizen, and to be perfectly honest, I did not hear about the Schappelle Corby case until actor Russell Crowe went public with his desire to see justice done.

The lack of evidence against her and the circumstantial evidence in her favour (baggage weight on arrival/departure missing, the dead witness ...) certainly would and should create reasonable doubt in the minds of the Indonesian prosecution.

I am not familiar with Australian foreign policy, but I would certainly hope that your government would not sit idly by while such a serious miscarriage of justice was done. If anything, an International effort should be organized (or at least within the Commonwealth?) to make sure this case goes the right way.

I would of course do what I can locally to assist in any way possible.

Yours in Fellowship and Love.

Saturday May 21 2005

Posted by Bert

Following the poll on Channel 9 it seems to me that the high percentage of voters have made it clear that they have no faith in the Qantas baggage procedure and that a young girls life is in the balance.

Why the lack of information concerning her baggage, such as weight on departure and weight on arrival;

Who is protecting who?

Sunday May 15 2005

Posted by Lyn

If Schapelle conviction comes back Guilty, there should be a mass exodus by, at least of Australian Tourists the next day.

BOYCOTT BALI

Thursday May 12 2005

Posted by Dr. Will Hattingh

I believe we should just wait the next 2 weeks till after the judgement.

If against her, we should close the tap on Aussie $ to Bali to levels that will shake that little "nation" to it's roots!! We could find, and create for that matter, dozens of other "Bali's" that would respect our citizens and provide the same level of entertainment!!

Let us not forget we are Aussies!!!!!!

What would you have done if it was your sister, mother or friend, being so humiliated ?? (Guilty or not; it is beyond that judgement.)

Tuesday May 10 2005

Posted by Shaun and Julie

I am appalled that the Australian Govt. Has not Taken appropriate steps, to at least, see Schappelle Corby receive priority status..

We all know, that if we have been following the case; That there are so many mitigating circumstances. But if this trial was held in Aust. It probably wouldn't have even gone to court. Basic Forensic information lost; No finger prints etc. etc.

It's a Sham...The Australian public knows it. Bring her home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fri Apr 29 2005

Posted by Phillip.

Sadly for Schappelle, it seems she is the one to be offered as appeasement to the Indonesian people.

Too many Moslems have been arrested at the West insistence, now some Westerners will have to be arrested for national co-easement.

Don't trust the Australian Government. My Son and his girlfriend were arrested in India some 5 years ago, the trial took 19 months and cost a great deal to receive a not guilty verdict.

The Government gave no assistance whatsoever. They said the tax payer would not support assistance to Australians who get into trouble overseas.

The whole system is corrupt. The cost of bribes in Bali will increase after the Corby case. It's good for police business.

Because of the public interest in this case, and with another 9 Westerners available, Schappelle may be lucky.

I Hope so.

Thu Apr 28 2005

Posted by Marnie.

Schappelle Corby Please find her innocent.

Posted by Melissa.

I support Schappelle Corby and I feel I would never have a holiday to Bali due to some of the issues I have read.

Hope that this turns around for poor Schappelle and that she keeps fitting. Never give up!!!!

You can show your support in several ways by first