Pubdate: Fri, 14 Oct 2005
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Mark Forbes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Corby (Schapelle Corby)

SENTENCING DEAL ANGERS CORBY

SCHAPELLE Corby will attempt to overturn her 20-year drug smuggling 
sentence with another appeal, this time to Indonesia's Supreme Court, 
despite a controversial court ruling that reduced her sentence to 15 years.

An angry Corby has condemned the ruling, demanding the Australian 
Government be blamed for her plight. Her family is insisting she should be 
freed.

In a deal apparently made between Corby's lawyers and some of the judges 
hearing her first appeal, Corby's conviction for smuggling four kilograms 
of marijuana was upheld, but her term cut by five years.

The deal, detailed by Corby's legal team, bypassed normal court processes 
and officials, with one of the three-judge panel unaware of the ruling.

A draft of the ruling, obtained by The Age, states the original sentence 
was too harsh because marijuana is not the most dangerous drug, Corby was 
not able to profit from her actions and needed a chance to reform.

Lawyer Erwin Siregar said Corby ordered a new appeal when he told her of 
the decision yesterday. The appeal will be formally lodged on Monday and 
could begin in 10 days.

With remissions, Corby would serve eight to nine years, he said.
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