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Eric Volz - Appeals Delayed


News from Nicaragua regarding the appeals process for Eric Volz has been a little sketchy. The Nicaraguan Newspaper, El Nuevo Diario, reports that the process may not take place for several weeks. From Page Two by Liestoppers,

"According to El Nuevo, a preliminary review to determine whether the case is subject to appeal must be conducted before a hearing must be scheduled. This pending review, and a backlog of cases, appears to be the cause for the delay."

If your Spanish skills are good, the full version is here. A rough translation via Google can be found here. The article identifies elements that are anticipated in Eric's defense and raises a number of questions regarding the validity of exculpatory evidence while seemingly defending the prosecution's position. There are obvious differences in the reporting from Nicaragua and the reporting in the US and clear differences in the legal culture in each country. In the balance is a young man's life whose appeals could be adversely affected by both sides and cultures.


Posted by Paul Chenoweth on April 26, 2007 08:00 AM |

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Comments

Did anyone else notice that the prosecutor in the Dateline interview said that the facts "don't prove his innocence"? It's obvious that the education level of these so-called seekers of justice in Nicaragua is sub-high school graduate in American standards. The prosecutor thinks he is guilty until he can prove his innocence and when he actually met that absurd standard at trial the judge still convicted him. I can tell you that after seeing this I will never go to Nicaragua and I hope the State Department gives a travel warning describing the absence of a legal process there so that no more innocent Americans lose their lives to Nicaraguan ignorance. Good luck Eric. I hope your appellate judges have a real education so that justice may be served.

Posted by: Law Student | September 22, 2007 12:55 AM

I do not know if Eric Volz is guilty or not, but what I know is this. Nicaragua, like most of the Latin American countries follows the Roman Law. A person accused of a crime is guilty until the contrary is proven. Just go to Mexico and have a car accident. You will be in jail for a few months.
My only advice to Americans that go to Nicaragua is: Do not get involved with a local woman, unless you are serious,

Posted by: Mrodrag Popovacovich | November 11, 2007 07:18 AM

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