Schapelle Corby's Ganja Queen
I watched Channel Nine’s “Schapelle Corby: Hidden Truth” a few weeks ago and although I thought Schapelle innocent before I watched the two part documentary, I was left with a few more questions than I had anticipated. The documentary was my first insight into the allegations against Schapelle I had come across (other than the net) and it left me with a slight feeling of confusion as to who was telling the truth, who were the good guys and who I could trust?
With this in mind I decided to read (my first impressions) Schapelle’s book “No More Tomorrows” and I wasn’t prepared for such a marked difference between the TV programme and the book. The television documentary gave, in my opinion, a fair and balanced version of events, however, for me the book cleared things up and laid to rest a few questions I had lingering. This is only my opinion and I’m positive other readers/viewers will take a different view.
The Ganja Queen DVD is available to buy on DVD in America. (Not available in the UK) – please note this is listed as a 92 minute dvd.
With this in mind I decided to re-visit the two part documentary and hopefully see what I missed first time around. The programme, known in the United States as “The Ganja Queen” was well received abroad and certainly helped bring Schapelle’s plight to thousands of people unaware of the travesty of justice that had befallen the Queenslander.
Schapelle Corby in Court
I had two nagging doubts from my first viewing and they centred on the two “supporting” roles within the documentary; namely Mercedes Corby and Ron Bakir (inc Robin Tampoe). I had (and have) no doubt of the love within the family both from Mercedes, her mother and her father. However on just viewing the documentary I don’t think they were shown in the best light. The book in comparison clears all these doubts up with a rebuttal from Schapelle herself.
It is shocking to see how much the Corby’s were taken in with Bakir and his legal team ahead of the trial. The spin worked well for a long time but slowly and surely doubts surfaced within the Corby camp as to the true intentions of Bakir and his team. The Corby’s were pressured into signing contracts under strict conditions that they were not to let this be known to the media in fear of negative publicity. I hadn’t realised that until reading the book.
Mercedes (for me) in the documentary came across as a very angry young woman. But isn’t that what you would expect? I’m not quite sure why in my mind I criticised her for being that way. After reading the book I took another look, allowed myself to re-evaluate her initial impressions on me and I have changed my opinion. It did take the book to allow my thoughts to , just one example of how powerful the book is.
It’s quite strange watching the documentary, reading the book and again re-visiting the programme. The places within the prison and court come to life. They offer a different meaning, a deeper emotional connection and a better understanding to the conditions Schapelle faces on a daily basis. Descriptive scenes of her mother cleaning the court holding cells, the prison visiting area and the grounds come to life thanks to the written word.
Lily Lubis is another character that receives a good airing on the documentary but on reading the book you had the distinct feeling she was a weak woman and an even weaker lawyer who in essence did little to help Schapelle’s cause. I have to admit I felt sorry for her when she was fired from the team but this was before I read the book and discovered she wasn’t a court recommended lawyer.
In conclusion if you are in any doubt, confused or want to know more about the case for a truly balanced opinion I urge you to watch Channel Nine’s two part documentary and Schapelle’s international bestseller “No More Tomorrows“. The book isn’t available in Australia but you can buy from the UK. or if you prefer buy from the United States.
Ganja Queen is also available to buy on DVD in America
I really think that people should read Schapelle’s side of the story before passing judgment. There are always 2 sides to a story. The book had a massive impact on me as I was absolutely stunned at how much the media had lied about her family… and still do. Australian journalism is in a very sad state at the moment. Please Aussies, question EVERYTHING that you hear in the news. 99% of the time it’s biased and inaccurate, especially in regards to the Corbys.
I would recommend that everyone does what the judges did – hear the evidence first hand. It should be possible to obtain court transcripts. They would provide the balance required to make any kind of statement The opinion of the Supreme Court judges in Jakarta should also be taken into account. They turned down her appeal. In fact, her 20 year sentence was reduced to 15 years at the first appeal court then reversed. There are no more appeals. There is a saying in the criminal fraternity: If you cant do the time, don’t do the crime.
I would recommend that everyone does what the judges did – hear the evidence first hand. It should be possible to obtain court transcripts. They would provide the balance required to make any kind of statement The opinion of the Supreme Court judges in Jakarta should also be taken into account. They turned down her appeal. In fact, her 20 year sentence was reduced to 15 years at the first appeal court then reversed. There are no more appeals. There is a saying in the criminal fraternity: If you cant do the time, don’t do the crime. Regarding Lily Lubis, she was not the lead counsel, only a junior one who got a good team together. It was led by Irwin Sirigar a prominent criminal lawyer in Bali.
Reading transcripts will not get you anywhere: this was not a trial, but a show trial. The evidence was not even tested: in fact it was destroyed, despite Schapelle Corby begging for it to be tested. She didn’t do the crime, and so she shouldn’t be doing the time, as the guy above so brutally and foolishly puts it: let alone doing a barbaric 20 years, which she may not survive.
Anyone in any doubt that this was a stitch up should read the log of the case itself, including all those human rights abuses which people like Darby Drake like to pretend never happened:
http://www.schapelle.net/trial.html
What really happened? This is what really happened:
http://www.schapelle.net/propositions/hiddentruth.pdf
But it will be hidden by the Australian media, just like the global protest was in December. This is why there are empty heads posting on the internet trying to suggest that she is in some way guilty. Try this film from the same site: http://www.schapelle.net/media.html
The media are burying her by smear: and the government don’t give a hoot.
“I would recommend that everyone does what the judges did – hear the evidence first hand.” And while you’re doing that, take your second hand and physically put it in the evidence to contaminate it. That “first hand” evidence also includes a lead witness who spoke NO English yet claimed that Schapelle claimed the drugs were hers. That “first hand” evidence is also pretty easy when you deny the accused any way to defend herself such as denying an official request to have the bag fingerprinted and the drugs DNA tested for origin.
“If you cant do the time, don’t do the crime.”
Umm. Schapelle never actualy commited any crime. There is no proof of this what so ever. She proved her innocence by begging for an investigation, having her luggage weighed and the drugs tested for origin. This would have surly determined her innocence or guilt. But the Indonesian authoritys refused to do this. The Australian Government allowed this to happen. In fact they also helped cover for the Indonesian Government. Via media smear campaigns. Do the crime do the time? The only crimes commited here are by the Indonesian and Australian Governments.
Not all indonesian are bad, I cant Imagine if the JUDGES are Good or are they really Stupid!!! i say this because all they did is just a testimony on the custom’s police (its always on their side)… And seeing that they burn the evidence mean they are really keeping something big.
“Evidence Should not be Burn”
Schapelle Corby case is really hard to win even if she plee cause the Indonesian Government did burn the evidence.(stupid people)