corby: from the abc

There's just too much doubt!


Last Update: Monday, May 30, 2005. 12:05pm (AEST)

Corby has the final say over appealing against her verdict. (ABC TV)

QCs believe Corby is innocent

Lawyers recruited by the Federal Government to help represent Schapelle Corby say they have a growing feeling that the woman convicted of smuggling drugs into Bali is probably not guilty.

One of the QCs appointed by the Federal Government, Tom Percy says he has met with Corby's legal team in Bali.

Western Australia lawyer John Davies is a junior barrister to WA QC's Tom Percy and Mark Trowell, who accepted a request from the Federal Government to assist in Corby's appeal against a 20-year jail term for smuggling marijuana.

The WA lawyers had originally been approached to assist in the Corby defence back in March.

Speaking on ABC Radio, Mr Davies said the lawyers are concentrating on how they can assist Corby's appeal.

"From what I've seen of the way the case has gone and from what I know of the evidence at this stage, which is by no means comprehensive, I have a growing sick feeling in my stomach that we have somebody who's very probably not guilty sitting in Kerobokan Prison," he said.

Mr Percy, who is also doing some work in Bali for the nine Australians facing heroin charges, says he and Mr Trough will look at the copies of the judgment and other rulings and then advise on how they think the appeal will go.

"I have, as a result of a request from the family, met in Bali with their lawyers," he said.

"They've made a couple of things known to me about how they were unhappy with the way the trial ran, which could furnish possible grounds of appeal."

Mr Percy says a number of aspects of the case are being investigated and that he hopes fresh evidence will be presented for her appeal from Australians who might know what happened.

He says there is also a possibility evidence may emerge in a different form.

"The other circumstantial evidence about the baggage handlers ... and the whole history that's emerged about other evidence - unfortunately not a lot of it is in strictly admissional form at this stage but it may be something we're going to have to have a look at."

The 27-year-old's defence team has 14 days to lodge an appeal but Corby's Gold Coast solicitor Robin Tampoe says the move could backfire.

He says it is up to Corby to decide whether the appeal goes ahead.

"We'll spend some time together and weigh it all up but certainly Indonesians can't believe the result we've got," he said.

"They're saying it's a very, very low sentence for this quantity of drugs and that's why we have to proceed very carefully.

"We could go to court and they could say it was a manifestly low sentence and we could end up with life or we could end up with death, so we'll be speaking with Schapelle and we have to proceed very, very carefully."