Pubdate: Wed, 15 Sep 2004
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Sun Media
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

NO-SHOWS OUTRAGE JUDGE

CALGARY -- Sending a letter proclaiming innocence rather than showing up to 
answer for her crime earned the ire of a judge poised to consider a woman's 
sentence. "This is outrageous ... what other spin should I put on it?" 
provincial court Judge Heather Lamoureux said yesterday. "I've never 
encountered this situation before."

Things got complicated when two people convicted of drug trafficking were 
no-shows for sentencing submissions.

Gianlucia Comesino and Marika Orazio, both of Italy, were charged with 
importing a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The charges came after the pair were caught trying to smuggle almost 40,000 
ecstasy tablets, hidden in suitcases, on a flight from Frankfurt, Germany, 
to Calgary International Airport in March 2003. Authorities pegged the 
street value of the cache at $1.4 million.

The courts already ruled Comesino absconded and was on the lam when he 
failed to show for an appearance before the judge. The same ruling was 
levelled against Orazio when, instead of showing up, she sent a letter 
explaining she has a job in her homeland and would not be making an appearance.

"I wouldn't like to be sentenced because I'm really innocent," she wrote, 
detailing the merits of her new career.

Crown prosecutor John Healy called the move "grotesque contempt of court."

Orazio's lawyer Hersh Wolch defended her actions, saying she stayed for the 
trial but wasn't given a chance to have her say in court.

"I don't care what she thinks in her mind, she's guilty and I've found her 
so," Lamoureux said.

The defence and Crown suggested a 3 1/2-year sentence for Orazio while 
Healy is asking for 6 1/2 years for Comesino.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager