Dr. Karen L. Eckert, Executive Director
Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation
Network (WIDECAST)
We had been waiting expectantly since the Tico Times announced last week that the prosecutors would seek “maximum sentences” for the men accused of Jairo Mora Sandoval’s murder near Limon, Costa Rica, in May 2013: http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/01/21...ces-for-defendants-in-jairo-mora-murder-trial
Sadly, citing “reasonable doubt, discarded evidence and an ineffective investigation”, all seven defendants were acquitted earlier today: http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/01/26...ta-rica-sea-turtle-conservationist-jairo-mora
Public response is being registered on twitter
It’s appalling and heartbreaking that capital cases can fail based on simple technicalities like proper judicial review and chain of custody protocols, rather than the innocence or guilt of the parties in such a high profile case. We weep for the results of a trial where law enforcement authorities were so clearly inept that the judge had no choice but to acquit on all counts. Four of the men will go to prison on other charges, but this is slim consolation to Jairo’s family.
Efforts to appeal the discussion are already being discussed inside Costa Rica.
With sadness, Karen
Dr. Karen L. Eckert
Executive Director
Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation
Network (WIDECAST)
1348 Rusticview Drive
Ballwin, Missouri 63011 USA
Tel: (314) 954-8571
[email protected]
www.widecast.org
__________________________
Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation
Network (WIDECAST)
We had been waiting expectantly since the Tico Times announced last week that the prosecutors would seek “maximum sentences” for the men accused of Jairo Mora Sandoval’s murder near Limon, Costa Rica, in May 2013: http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/01/21...ces-for-defendants-in-jairo-mora-murder-trial
Sadly, citing “reasonable doubt, discarded evidence and an ineffective investigation”, all seven defendants were acquitted earlier today: http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/01/26...ta-rica-sea-turtle-conservationist-jairo-mora
Public response is being registered on twitter
It’s appalling and heartbreaking that capital cases can fail based on simple technicalities like proper judicial review and chain of custody protocols, rather than the innocence or guilt of the parties in such a high profile case. We weep for the results of a trial where law enforcement authorities were so clearly inept that the judge had no choice but to acquit on all counts. Four of the men will go to prison on other charges, but this is slim consolation to Jairo’s family.
Efforts to appeal the discussion are already being discussed inside Costa Rica.
With sadness, Karen
Dr. Karen L. Eckert
Executive Director
Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation
Network (WIDECAST)
1348 Rusticview Drive
Ballwin, Missouri 63011 USA
Tel: (314) 954-8571
[email protected]
www.widecast.org
__________________________
