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Drug Trial That Rocked Australia Blogged Live From Court

A pot smuggling trial that rocked Australia was blogged live by Australia's National Nine News - a sea change in court reporting.

Draconian drug laws still exist in many nations, (like this one) while countries like Canada have all but legalized pot. The case of Australian Schapelle Corby, a former Gold Coast beauty student convicted of smuggling 4.1kg of marijuana into Bali in her bodyboard bag has gripped the Australian consciousness like few others before, accoding to news.com.au Anyone stopped in the street is likely to have an opinion, they said.

There is so much concern over the trial that it may actually harm Australian relations with Bali, according to Australian media. Indonesian law actually allows the death penalty for the offense, so she got off easy. However, Ms Corby has continually pleaded her innocence to the charges against her, claiming that baggage handlers put the drugs in her luggage.

NOTE: Australian blogger Trevor Cook gives his take on the case in a comment below. Thanks Trevor!

Categories: Best Practices, Blogging and Moblogging, Dead Tree Journalism, News

BL Ochman | May 27 05 12:08 | TrackBack (1)

Comments

The Corby case has been an amazing saga that will continue for sometime yet. It has been front page news for months. Two of our national TV netwoorks covered the verdict live - 3 hours of it as the judges read out their decision. Who knows if she is guilty? The evidence is that the stuff was in her luggage and therefore her possession. That's prima facie evidence but in an Australian court or a US one I suppose the prosecution would have had to prove that she knew it was there.

I think there will be some damage in the relationship with Indonesia - but not long-term. We've had cases like this before with our Asian neighbours. Despite their long-term heavy sentences for trafficking and their idea that if its in your possession you're guilty standard of proof some young Aussies continue to risk it. They are stupid.

I also wonder how big this particular case would have been had the defendant not been a photogenic young woman.

But that said I will be locking my luggage very securely when I travel in future!

Posted by: Trevor Cook at May 27, 2005 4:30 PM

BTW the sydney morning herald (www.smh.com.au) reported that they got more traffic at lunchtime friday (when the decision came down) than ever before.

Posted by: Trevor Cook at May 31, 2005 8:30 AM

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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Drug Trial That Rocked Australia Blogged Live From Court:

Aussie Convicted for Pot Possession from T. Longren
This is pretty outrageous. An Australian girl, Schapelle Corby, has been convicted of possession of marijuana and has been sentenced to 20 years in prison…in Indonesia. I’ve never been to prison or even jail, but I’d guess a place ... [Read More]

Tracked on May 27, 2005 2:44 PM

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About BL Ochman

Blogger, social media strategy consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and sought-after corporate speaker B.L. Ochman heads the creative team of whatsnextonline.com. She also publishes the Ethics Crisis blog for SRF Global Translations

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