Nicaragua refuses to release acquitted American

The BBQ Pit
1

Okay, not really, but if I said “It’s time to punch a Nicaraguan judge in the nose” it wouldn’t really reflect my level of rage.

Okay, there’s this friend of mine, who goes to my church. She has a son, a young man living in Nicaragua. Eric Volz, perhaps you’ve heard of him - it’s been all over the news. In 2006, he was arrested for raping and killing his ex-girlfriend in a small seaside town in Nicaragua. After months and months in jail, he came to trial early this year. And, incredibly, he was found guilty, despite the following facts:

  • he had no motive to kill her
  • there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime
  • the only witness for the prosecution was the first suspect who was arrested, a local drifter who testified against Eric in exchange for immunity
  • 10 witnesses placed Eric in Managua - over two hours away - at the time of the killing

But judge Blanco refused any of the defense’s evidence to be admitted in the trial, and sentenced him to 30 years in jail, to the delight of the public lynch mob gathered outside the court.

Well, Eric’s lawyers appealed to the superior court, which was supposed to consider the case within 90 days (according to the law). Eight months later, this past Monday, they overturned the conviction and ordered him released from prison. Technically, he’s been in a hospital ward for the last few weeks, suffering from kidney stones, GI issues and untreated asthma. Anyway, when the release order came on Monday, the lawyers went to Judge Blanco to get her to sign the release – only to find she left work as soon as the decision was announced.

She has refused to release him, and, in fact, has ordered him back to jail, cutting short his medical treatment. Apparently, the goal is to keep him in prison until the government prosecutor can appeal the reversal to the Supreme Court – a process which could take years. Eric’s life has been threatened by street mobs and by the media, who have been encouraging vigilante justice – it’s imperative that he is freed and receives protection.

So, to the judge who caved in to public pressure and convicted an innocent man – FUCK YOU. And another FUCK YOU for defying the laws of your own country, ignoring the court order and keeping him in jail. And to the prosecutor, who is also trying to keep in in jail while the case is appealed, FUCK YOU too. If he dies in that prison, I hope the Marines come in and string you up, and your children too. Okay, not really, but a punch in the nose is not enough either.

2

Here are two more stories detailing the current situation:
Absolved man’s family blasts judge
Nicaragua appeals acquittal of Nashville man

3

I saw your friend, his mother, on the Today show the other day and I was struck by how well-spoken, sincere, and clear she appeared. I know it sounds silly, but I don’t know if I’d be able to be so strong in the face of such a situation. I’m sure she’s an amazing woman.

Her son will be in my prayers, as well as those of others, I’m sure. It is a tremendously awful situation and I’m frankly amazed that the American government has yet to step in. I’m not exactly sure what they could do, but surely there is something.

4

I’ve been following this.

BTW–perhaps you should ask the Mods to change the Thread title, as more people might read it.
The current title is a tad obscure.

5

Seconded. I, for example, popped my head in here to state that it’s actually time to SURF Nicaragua.

However, after reading the story, I’m too appalled. That’s just frightening.

6

This is horrible and truly pit-worthy. I hope your friend can see her son again real soon.

7

Thanks, I sent a note to the mods to change the title of the OP.

News we’re hearing now is that the prosecution is claiming that since they are appealing to the Supreme Court, Erik won’t be released until the higher court decides the case… which could be years. Meanwhile his health is deteriorating and his life is in constant threat. Fuckers!

8

I hope this doesn’t seem trite, in the face of such monumental true awfulness…
Track down a copy of Sebastián Cordero’s film Crónicas. I got the same feeling form that film as I get from this story. And I thought of it immediately.

9

This from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a press conference a few hours ago:

I hope she knows something that we don’t about the leverage the U.S. has to get him released.

10

Well, maybe she reminded them of this?

11

Done.

(The original title was “It’s time to bomb Nicaragua” for those who just found this thread.)

12

Nicaragua clearly doesn’t realize that Americans will not tolerate the imprisonment of innocent people.

13

Too bad this isn’t one of those message boards where we could mod the previous poster down for either doing the troll bait thing, or poor use of irony and sarcasm.

Nicaragua fucking sucks, dude. We all know this. The U.S. is also in one of it’s low points right now. But why go for the obvious and easy cheap shot? Lazy fucking waste of bandwidth.

14

Well, feel free to check back in when you decide which one it was.

Because it’s obvious and easy, and it shouldn’t be. I care more about America than I do about Nicaragua.

Not at all. For example, it gave me the opportunity to point out that you’ve used the word “it’s” inappropriately. “It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” The possessive form of “it” is spelled “its,” without an apostrophe. “The U.S. is also in one of its low points right now.” Now you know! And knowing is half the battle.

15

Yes, and this is not something to be proud of. Really.

I had to give you something. You missed the other two errors I made, by the way.

16

Well, I live there. I’d be surprised if Nicaraguans didn’t feel the same way about their own sucky country.

17

Silly Nicaraguans. If they just waterboarded him they’d get a nice confession. It’s what all the civilized countries are doing these days.

18

Okay… I’m sorry for the hijack. I just think it sucks that dipshits like Terrifel can’t do any better than some chickenshit sniping on this board.
What have you really done or said to either solve or prolong the problem in our last eight years or so, Terrifel?

And why do you only care about Americans? Are you some sort of Fucking Racist?
(see how I did that?)
Just don’t fucking do that shit, okay?
I’m sure we agree on many things, really. Like how my dick tastes, for example.

It’s soothing.

19

For one thing, I talk about it. Perhaps in your mind, problems don’t exist if people don’t complain about them. Or are you demonstrating your ability to resolve international conflict right now? Did you think you were solving the problem of the Nicaraguan criminal justice system by recommending a movie earlier? Because I can recommend movies too, if you think that’s the way to global harmony, Rabbi Ebert.

Um, no? Do I need to watch your movie before I know what the hell you’re talking about, strange person?

I’m delighted that you have a hobby.

20

Terrifel. Seriously. God Damnit. You said something that was either a Dumb Thing, or you were just Stirring Shit.

I mentioned that film because it begins with a very disturbing and fucking awful scene of a near-lynching, while folks stand by in disbelief.

I’m upset that you had to twist things away from the OP. And that you sucked me in, with your fucking playground crusade.

Me: Lotsa bad stuff, out there.
You: Fuck you 'cause of America!
Me: Please stop it.
You: HA HA!