Schapelle's Trial Moves Slowly On

I haven't been writing so much about Schapelle Corby of late as my original aim was simply to get her case known. As there is now so much more in the media and elsewhere about her awful situation, I don't feel so strongly that she is being ignored -- in fact, I am hopeful now that she will be released. Eventually.

Ever since the generous Ron Bakir stepped in to offer financial and legal assistance to Schapelle's defence team, things have been moving along relatively well:

• the Australian government was put under the spotlight for not assisting more
• attempts were made to get airport security camera footage (which apparently had already been wiped)
  
• Australian baggage handlers were contacted for information relating to the case and last week one of them, a Qantas employee, Scott Speed from Brisbane Airport, gave evidence in support of Schapelle
  
• Schapelle's friends have taken the stand
• various other media personalities and politicians have spoken up to criticise the government's lack of action
• Downer said he'd try and intervene if Schapelle was convicted
• Howard said he was worried about a fair trial for Corby
  
• Schapelle's boogie board and its bag were shown in court as evidence
• Downer agreed to help Schapelle's legal team (and he met with them once. Wondering how that constitutes "helping". )
• Expert witnesses have testified for Schapelle
  
• Schapelle herself took the stand to plead for her life
  

And most recently, John Patrick Ford, a Victorian prisoner on remand awaiting trial (set for May this year) announced he had been trying to inform the police for months in relation to information he had about the drugs, yet had been ignored. Which Ruddock seems to have forgotten as he now points the finger at Corby's legal team for "inactivity" in attempting to get the Australian prisoner over to Bali to take the stand.

Lots of finger pointing and blame throwing. Continuing the trend started by the Bali customs officers who accused Schapelle in the first place, I guess.

John Ford, the prisoner, is risking a heckuva lot coming over to Bali. He's had death threats from other Australian prisoners for exposing the interstate drug traffickers methods, not to mention some of their names, and he's likely going to be a target for anti-Schapelle and anti-drug crusaders in Bali who'd like to silence him before he can help her cause. Bakir is calling for a closed courtroom for Ford to take the stand, and he's been under heavy guard from the moment he left Australia, but I can't help but be suspicious of even the Bali police who are "protecting" him at the moment. Aren't they looking for a scapegoat? They certainly wouldn't want Ford's testimony to ruin their chance at proving foreigners pollute their pristine, drug-free country. Ha.

Many people are commenting that Ford is only doing this to save his own skin, however I feel this is a misguided judgement. Firstly, as I've just stated above, he is risking his own life. And secondly, all that is needed for Schapelle to be freed is for the Balinese jurors and judges to think there is a chance, a possibility, that what he is saying could be true. Even if it's not the prisoners Ford is naming who were responsible for planting the drugs, they just need to believe it is possible for someone to have done it. Someone unrelated to Schapelle. Then, by Australian law at least, there would be enough doubt in the truth of the charges that she would be freed.

Of course, this trial is happening in Bali. Corruption is rife, and the lead prosecutor himself stated early on in the trial, "There is no need to fingerprint her. She is guilty. They always say they're innocent. It is common."

Sends shivers down my spine. Keep thinking of Schapelle, readers. This case has a long way to go yet.