Schapelle Corby

Schapelle Corby
Born	10 July 1977 (1977-07-10) (age 34) Tugun, Queensland, Australia
Conviction(s)	Importation of marijuana (27 May 2005)
Penalty	20 years in prison IDR 100,000,000 fine
Status	Imprisoned
Occupation	Shop assistant
Parents	Michael Corby (deceased) Rosleigh Rose

Schapelle Leigh Corby (born 10 July 1977) is an Australian woman convicted of drug smuggling who is imprisoned in Indonesia.

Corby is serving a 20-year sentence (from which she has received approximately 17 months' remission) for the importation of 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) of cannabis into Bali, Indonesia. She was convicted and sentenced in Bali on 27 May 2005 by the Denpasar (Indonesia) District Court and currently serves her sentence in Kerobokan Prison, Bali. On appeal, her conviction and sentence were confirmed with finality by the Indonesian Supreme Court. No further legal manoeuvres on her part are possible; however, she has petitioned for clemency from Indonesia's President, on humanitarian grounds, on grounds of mental illness.

Corby has maintained from the time of her arrest that the drugs were planted in her boogie board bag and that she did not know about them.^[1] Her trial and conviction were a major focus of attention for the Australian media. Her due release date, with remissions, is currently 12 April 2024.^[2]

Early life

Corby lived in the Australian town of Tugun on the Gold Coast in Queensland. She enrolled in a part-time beauty therapy course at a TAFE institute, finishing two of four course modules. She then worked in her family's fish and chip shop.^[3] Her father worked as a coal miner. Her elder sister, Mercedes, married a Balinese man and they were on holiday in Bali at the time of Corby's arrest.^[4]

Corby was once married to a Japanese man. Her former husband gave an interview with an Australian magazine, New Idea, under the pseudonym "Kimi Tanaka" in which he described their romance and marriage. According to Tanaka, the two met in the mid-1990s while he was on a working holiday visa and employed at the supermarket where Corby shopped. One day she spoke to him in Japanese and the two later began dating.^[4] After his return to Japan, Corby continued to visit him and the two married on 19 June 1998 in the isolated town of Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture. While living in Omaezaki she worked at a ryokan (Japanese inn). Her husband also found work in the hospitality industry and as a seasonal worker on nearby tea farms. Her neighbours relate favourable memories of her, but observed that she seemed lonely.^[5] She and her husband increasingly quarrelled, leading to the couple's separation and Corby returning to Australia in July 2000. The couple's divorce was finalised in 2003. Tanaka soon remarried and became a father and, after October 2004, did not have any further contact with Corby.^[6]

Returning home to Australia, Corby had a stopover in Bali where she had been five times since the age of sixteen, which included stopovers on her way to or from Japan.^[7]

Arrest

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On 8 October 2004, Corby, with three traveling companions, traveled from Brisbane to Bali via Sydney. Corby had previously visited Bali on multiple occasions, as she had regularly made the stopover in order to visit her sister, Mercedes, who lived in Bali – although this was to be Corby's first visit to Bali in four years.^[8]

Shortly after her arrival at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Corby was apprehended by Indonesian customs agents. She was found to have 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) of cannabis in her unlocked boogie board bag. Customs officer Gusti Nyoman Winata alleged that she tried to prevent him from opening the compartment of the bag containing the cannabis. Corby denied this allegation during the trial, saying she originally opened the bag after being asked by Winata whose bag it was. However, Winata's proficiency in the English language was not established,^{[clarification needed]} and Corby (and a travelling companion) said they had difficulty understanding each other.^[8] No CCTV footage of this interaction was retrieved or preserved.^[9]

At Brisbane airport, the four bags belonging to Corby and her companions were not weighed individually, with a total weight of 65 kg being taken instead. The Bali police and customs did not record the weight of the bags,^[8] despite requests from Corby for them to do so.^[3]

Corby stated that she had no knowledge of the drugs.

Trial

The prosecution case was based on the customs officials testimony that Corby said the bag was hers, and that it was found to contain 4.2 kg of cannabis. Four customs officials present when her bag was first examined in Bali said she tried to stop the bag being opened, and that she had said "I have some..."^[4]

Three of Corby's travelling companions testified that they had seen her pack the bag before leaving for the airport and that only the flippers and yellow boogie board were inside it. In contrast to the testimony of the custom's officials, her companions said that Corby opened the bag herself at the customs counter.^[3] Despite repeated requests from Corby's companions and lawyers, the bag was not tested for fingerprints.^[3]

Corby's lawyers argued that she had no knowledge of the cannabis until customs officials at the airport found it. Her defence centred on the theory that she had become an unwitting drug courier for what was supposed to have been an interstate shipment of drugs between Brisbane and Sydney in Australia^{[citation needed]} – a claim that was later supported when the former head of operations for the Australian Federal Police's internal investigation unit, Ray Cooper, claimed that it was well known within the AFP that some passengers were unwittingly being used to transfer drugs between domestic airports in Australia.^[10] According to her lawyers, the cannabis was meant to have been removed in Sydney. Corby's former lawyer, Robin Tampoe, later said that he made up the claim about the baggage handlers and apologised to them.^[11]

The Australian Government offered the services of two Queen's Counsel on a pro-bono basis.^[12] however, the offer was rejected.^{[citation needed]} The Corby family subsequently took up the offer for the High Court appeal but after more allegations of bribery by the barristers,^{[clarification needed]} further assistance was refused.^{[citation needed]}

John Ford's allegations

John Patrick Ford, a prisoner at Port Phillip Prison who was awaiting trial and was subsequently convicted on unrelated charges, was flown to Indonesia to give evidence in Corby's defence.

Ford testified that he overheard a conversation in prison between two men and alleged that one of the men planted the marijuana in Corby's boogie board bag in Brisbane with the intention of having another person remove it in Sydney. He stated that the drugs were owned by Ron Vigenser, who had been a prisoner at the same jail as Ford.^[13] He stated that a mix-up resulted in the marijuana not being removed and subsequently being transported to Indonesia, all without Corby's knowledge. He refused to name the man who he claimed planted the drugs. The prosecution pointed out that his evidence was entirely hearsay and that he was facing trial for several serious offences in Australia. In the Australian media, Vigenser strongly denied any connection with the drugs and reportedly gave a statement to the Australian Federal Police.

An A$1,000,000 reward was offered for information to substantiate claims made by Ford about baggage handlers with no result. Following his return from Bali, Ford was convicted of rape. Subsequently, in prison, he was beaten and stabbed and then held in solitary protective custody. Ford's wife stated that this was a consequence of evidence he gave at Corby's trial.^[14]

Alleged involvement of baggage handlers

Corby's legal defence suggested that airport baggage handlers had put the drugs in Corby's bag, however, they could not provide substantive probative evidence of this.^[15] In a June 2008 documentary, Schapelle Corby: The Hidden Truth, Corby's former lawyer, Robin Tampoe, said that he fabricated the defence theory that Australian baggage handlers could have planted the drugs in Corby's luggage and that former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer told him he suspected Corby's brothers were behind the convicted drug smuggler's crime.^[16]

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Corby flew out of Sydney on the same day (8 October 2004) as a large shipment of cocaine was shipped out of the airport by a drug ring involving corrupt baggage handlers. During the week of 9 May 2005 several arrests occurred in Australia related to cocaine smuggling through Sydney airport.^[17] Her defence claimed that the cannabis was planted in her bag by mistake by baggage handlers. However, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner, Mick Keelty, stated that a key aspect of her defence was not supported by the available intelligence^[18] and that the cocaine-smuggling ring which had been discovered involved the reception of shipments of drugs from overseas, not the transportation of drugs domestically.^[19]

CCTV cameras at the Bali airport could not corroborate or contradict Corby's account of what happened in customs. The prosecutor said the tapes were not checked. The defence requested to see them. Corby's mother claims that Schapelle requested the CCTV footage be shown in court, to which the judge replied, "We will use that if we need to". Corby's mother claims the footage was never shown.^[20] According to the documentary Ganja Queen, which aired on HBO, the Closed-Circuit TV Cameras (CCTV) within the airport were not operable the day of Corby's flight.

Corby's other luggage was not weighed, despite her requests. However, there was no obligation upon Indonesian police to do so. Her belongings were searched after she was taken into custody.^{[21][not in citation given]}

On 30 June 2011, a woman came forward who had dated a Brisbane Airport baggage handler, a colleague of whom allegedly hid a large bag of marijuana in a traveller's bag in October 2004.^[22]

Ron Bakir

Main article: Ron Bakir

Ron Bakir, a Gold Coast entrepreneur said he had retained the services of the Australian law firm Hoolihans to investigate the origin of the drugs. He made statements suggesting that he would fund Corby's defence. Bakir later registered a company titled Schapelle Corby Pty Ltd.^[23] It was reported that he told the Corby family that they owed him $500,000, though Bakir denied this.^[24]

Bakir accused the prosecution team (chief prosecutor Ida Bagus Wiswantanu) of seeking a bribe to reduce the requested sentence. The prosecution team and the Indonesian government vehemently denied that this occurred. Corby's legal team were openly angry with Bakir since this could cause the imposition of a more severe penalty.^[25]

Bakir cut ties with the Schapelle Corby case on 24 June 2005 after Corby wrote a letter asking him to dissociate himself.^[24] Schapelle Corby Pty Ltd was voluntarily de-registered on 23 October 2005.

Pleas to be acquitted

Corby made pleas to be released. At the defence's last address to the court, on 29 April 2005, Corby said to the three judges:

I cannot admit to a crime I did not commit. And to the judges, my life at the moment is in your hands, but I would prefer if my life was in your hearts....And your Honour, I ask of you to show compassion, to find me innocent, to send me home. Saya tidak bersalah ("I am not guilty", in Indonesian).^[26]

Corby also wrote to the case's prosecutor, Ida Bagus Wiswantanu, and judges with a request for leniency.^[27]

Other aspects

The bag of cannabis was not fingerprinted by the Indonesian custom officials or police, nor analysed to determine its origin.^[28] Tim Lindsay of the University of Melbourne, an expert on Asian law, suggested that a greater focus on the weaknesses of the forensic evidence could have helped Corby's case.^[29]

The Australian Federal Police said that an offer to DNA test the cannabis was refused by Schapelle Corby's legal team.^[30][31] Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said that the Indonesian Police rejected the Australian Government's request to have the AFP test the drugs.^[32]

Verdict and sentence

The verdict in the Corby trial was broadcast live on television in Australia and the Nine Network's television coverage was also broadcast live in New Zealand. The coverage included the 80 page trial outline, the verdict and sentencing.

On 27 May 2005, Corby was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years' jail. She was also fined 100,000,000 IDR (about A$12,663), with an additional six months if unpaid. The defence and prosecution appealed separately to the High Court with the defence appealing for a retrial and the prosecution appealing for life imprisonment.^[33]

Appeals

On 5 July 2005, the High Court ruled that the case should be reopened by the district court, allowing the defence to call new witnesses. The onus was on the defence team to call sufficient witnesses to prove that Corby did not place the drugs in her boogie board bag. One man was named as the owner of the drugs in Corby's bag. He was named as a key witness, but he said that he 'knows nothing'.^[34]

On 14 October 2005, Bali's High Court reduced the sentence to 15 years. Both sides again appealed, this time to Indonesia's Supreme Court.

On 19 January 2006, the Indonesian Supreme Court overturned the five year reduction in her sentence on appeal and reinstated the original 20 year jail term handed down. The court also ordered that the evidence - the bodyboard bag and drugs - be destroyed, signalling that the case was now closed.^[35]

The three judge panel also rejected a final appeal from Corby, whose lawyers had been seeking a lighter sentence or acquittal. This rejection meant that all legal avenues are now exhausted unless exceptional new evidence can be produced to reopen the case.^{[citation needed]}

On 25 August 2006, Schapelle Corby appeared before the judges of the Denpasar District Court on an extraordinary appeal. Her lawyers submitted a letter from an Australian government official that CCTV cameras were operating at Sydney airport on the day she left and indicated that they hoped that the footage (although none has been shown to exist) would show drugs being put into Corby's bag. Corby's lawyers also alleged that the trial court did not have evidence of actual ownership of the drugs and so erred in convicting her. The judges agreed to wait ten days to allow for footage to be presented before sending the record to the Supreme Court. There was no possibility of this appeal increasing the term of the current sentence.^{[citation needed]}

Corby was scheduled for transfer to the Sukun Women's Prison at Malang, near Indonesia's second-largest city, Surabaya in East Java, due to prison overcrowding at Bali's Kerobokan Prison. On 26 May 2007, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the move had been postponed indefinitely due to what an Indonesian official described as improved conditions at Kerobokan.^[36]

On 28 March 2008, the Indonesian Supreme Court rejected Corby's final appeal against her sentence.^[37] With the failure of this appeal, Corby's sole recourse is clemency from Indonesia's president - but to be eligible for consideration, she would have to renounce her claims of innocence and admit guilt.^[38] Indonesian president Yudhoyono has previously stated that he opposes pardons for drug offences.^[37]

Seized photographs

It was reported that a joint South Australian and Queensland police operation had seized photographs of Corby with a man charged with marijuana smuggling after a police search of the alleged dealer's home. It was reported in the media that the photos had been taken prior to Corby's arrest in Bali.^[39]

After the reports, Corby's mother, Rosleigh Rose, flew to Adelaide, entered police headquarters and demanded (unsuccessfully) to see the photographs. She alleged that the photographs were taken with Corby in prison in Bali.^[40][41]

In January 2006, the man in the photographs, Malcolm McCauley, told Adelaide Now that he had visited Corby in Bali twice in 2005 — but only as a tourist offering support during her drugs trial. McCauley said he first met Corby at her court hearing in May 2005. He said Corby's mother invited him to visit Corby at Kerobokan Prison the following day. Despite claims that the photos had been taken prior to Corby's arrest, McCauley said the photos were taken at an empty fish pond at the prison where the two were permitted by prison guards to sit and talk.^[42]

Responses

Schapelle Corby support poster in Sydney

The Corby case generated some anti-Indonesian sentiment among Australians.^{[citation needed]} Mainstream Indonesian media showed minimal interest in the story with the small exception of Bali newspapers.^{[citation needed]} Some small-circulation English language publications such as The Jakarta Post and the Bali Sun gave moderate levels^{[clarification needed]} of coverage.^{[citation needed]}

A letter was delivered to the Indonesian embassy in Canberra containing an unknown substance on 31 May 2005. It was later found to be non-toxic and was considered a hoax.^{[citation needed]}

During the trial, Corby wrote to the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, saying "...as a father and as a leader, I plead for your help. I did not do this. I beg for justice. I don't know how much longer I can do this. Please bring me home."^[43] Of Corby, Howard said: "I feel for her. I understand why there's a lot of public sympathy for her; I would simply say that I hope justice is done and it's a fair and true verdict ... I would ask the rhetorical question: My fellow Australians, if a foreigner were to come to Australia and a foreign government were to start telling us how we should handle [it], we would react very angrily to that."^[44] The Australian Labor Party generally supported the government's approach to the case in not wanting to interfere in Indonesia's judicial system,^{[citation needed]} while Australian Greens leader Bob Brown criticised the verdict.^[45]

The Australian Government has had talks with the Indonesian Government about a prisoner exchange program, which could include Corby.^[46]

Media and public response

There was considerable media interest in and popular discussion of Schapelle Corby's predicament. The conspiracy theory that Australian baggage handlers had placed the drugs in her baggage received some attention. For many months, every minor development in the case was highlighted on prime time TV. For example, a minor "collapse" in the court engendered much erroneous speculation that she was pregnant by her former financial backer, Ron Bakir.^[47]

A poll commissioned and published in June 2005 by the Sydney Morning Herald found that opinion was divided whether Corby was guilty but there was a perception that the trial had not been carried out fairly.^[48] In Australia, over 100,000 people signed a petition that they believe Corby should be freed. In Indonesia, however, about 40 protesters gathered on 5 June 2005 at the Australian embassy in Jakarta calling for Corby to receive the death sentence and carrying placards with comments such as '"Corby, drug dealer, must die"'.^[49]

On 3 March 2008, pictures of what were said to be Corby and her sister Mercedes were shown on A Current Affair, taken after tourists noticed the women having dinner at a bar at Kuta, a town near the Bali airport. Rose denied that it was them.^[50]

A documentary concerning Corby's arrest, trial and imprisonment, Ganja Queen, was produced by Janine Hosking and Steve Hosking in 2007. An extended version, Schapelle Corby: The Hidden Truth, was aired on Australian television by the Nine Network in June 2008.^[51]

According to opinion polls at the time of Corby's arrest in 2004, most Australians believed her to be innocent.^[52] A Nielsen poll conducted in August 2010 found that 10 per cent of Australians believed she was innocent. Most Australians believe Corby should have her 20-year prison sentence reduced.^[52]

The Corby case angered many,^[who?] who contrasted her prosecution with the lighter sentence given to Indonesian Abu Bakar Bashir, the alleged leader of the terrorist group which carried out the 2002 Bali bombings, killing over 200 people including 88 Australians.^[53]

After Corby's conviction, sales of luggage locks increased, and people filmed their luggage as a precautionary effort.^[54]

Prison life

Corby's cell block is shared with 85 other women. She spends her time assisting others with personal grooming and making jewellery. During an interview by The Herald Sun on 12 May 2009, Corby expressed her feelings of running a beauty school inside the jail. Her proposal was being considered by jail authorities.^[55]

Remissions

Corby has received a total of 17 months remission on her original 20-year jail term.^[56]

• August 2006, two months on Indonesia's Independence Day.^[57]
• December 2006, one month at Christmas time.^[58]
• 2007: Corby lost her Independence Day and Christmas remissions when she was caught with a mobile phone.^[59] Visiting rules were tightened after an apparent hoax when a bogus tour operator advertised that tourists could have their photo taken with Corby in exchange for money.^[60]
• August 2008, three months on Independence Day.^[2]
• August 2009, four months on Independence Day.^[61]
• August 2010, five months on Independence Day.^[56]
• December 2010, 45 days remission.^[62]
• August 2011, six months remission on Independence Day.^[63]

Treatment for depression

Corby was taken from her prison to a Bali hospital in June 2008 to be treated for depression.^[64]

On 2 July 2008, Corby was permitted to leave her hospital ward under armed guard to visit a beauty salon located within the hospital grounds to have her hair done and for a pedicure. While she was at the salon, word of her presence got out and, upon leaving the salon, Corby was faced with a large number of reporters. Corby attempted to hide her face as she left the salon and her doctor stated that her condition was "back to zero" and that additional treatment for depression would be needed.^[65] On 9 July 2008, she was returned to the prison, ending a stay of two and a half weeks in the hospital.^[66] Corby was again taken to the hospital on 22 May 2009 for depression.^[67] In August 2009, an Australian psychiatrist, believed to have been hired by the Corby family, stated in the New Idea magazine that Corby's mental condition was deteriorating seriously in the prison and urged that she be transferred to an Australian hospital, or at least an Indonesian one. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh supported Corby serving her time in Australia.^[68][69]

Related persons

Family background and context

Corby's mother Rosleigh Rose has six children, with Schapelle being the third. Her marriage to Michael Corby produced Mercedes (1974), Michael Junior (1976) and Schapelle (1977). Corby's parents separated around 1979.^[70] Michael Corby died in 2008. Rose's second marriage produced Clinton Rose, described by Michael Corby Senior as "the black sheep of the family".^[71]

Rose's third marriage, to Tongan-born James Kisina, produced James Sioeli Kisina (1987) and Melenae Kisina (1990).^[72] Rose's subsequent partner, Greg Martin, died of cancer in April 2008.^[73]

Michael Corby

During the 1970s, Corby's father, Michael Corby, was fined for possession of cannabis.^[74] He indicated that he was fined A$400 for possession of two grams of cannabis. However, he stated that the cannabis was not his, saying that "Some girl had it and they busted the whole joint and I had to go along for the ride."^[75] He also stated that he had had about a "half-dozen" drink driving convictions, but added, "Who hasn't?"^[41]

A quantity of cannabis weighing 5 kg (11 lb) was seized from a property located beside property that Michael Corby owned but did not live at one month prior to his daughter's arrest.^[74] Corby's father and the neighbour had also lived in adjacent properties in Middlemount, Queensland, while both worked at the German Creek Mine during the 1990s. A Middlemount resident described them as "pretty friendly".^[76]

Michael Corby died of bowel cancer on 18 January 2008.^[77]

Clinton Rose

Corby's half-brother, Clinton Rose, has spent time in jail for a range of offences. He was serving a 15 months sentence in Queensland for breaking and entering and fraud. This was his second time in prison.^[78] In January 2002, Rose was convicted of drug possession. He had pleaded guilty to what the Southport District Judge, Robert Hall, described as a "campaign of crime". Rose pleaded guilty to a total of 62 charges accumulated over a six-month period.^[41]

James Kisina's arrest

Kisina was travelling with Corby when she was arrested in Bali. He had also been carrying the bodyboard bag before the arrest and had appeared in the media to support his sister.^[79]

On the same day as the reinstatement of Corby's original sentence, Kisina appeared in a Brisbane magistrates court on drug possession and assault charges.^[80] Kisina, along with two friends, invaded the home of a well-known drug dealer, tied up the occupants and assaulted a male occupant before fleeing with a quantity of cannabis and cash.^[79] Police stated that the residents were threatened with an iron bar and menaced with a machete.

On 17 January 2006, Queensland Police found cannabis in the home of Schapelle Corby's mother and half-brother.^[81] Police stated that the house which Kisina had broken into had been watched by police for some time and that the occupant of the home was a known drug dealer. Kisina's lawyer denied this contention and claimed his client broke into the home believing its occupants may have had information that could assist in Schapelle Corby's sentence appeal.^[82] On 8 March 2006, Kisina appeared in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court in relation to the drug-related home invasion and was committed to stand trial after a committal hearing in June.

In Beenleigh District Court, on 13 October 2006, Kisina pleaded guilty to eight charges: two counts of deprivation of liberty, two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count each of producing a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug, possessing an item used in a criminal offence and entering a dwelling. He was sentenced on 16 October 2006 to four years' imprisonment, to be suspended after 10 months. Kisina had spent 9 months on remand. He was released from prison on 18 November 2006.^[83]

A senior Queensland Police detective raised a link between Kisina and Corby's arrest in Bali, but later admitted his claims did not meet the "standard of proof" required to take action against Kisina.^[84]

Jodi Power's allegations

On 12 February 2007, Jodi Power, a longtime Corby family friend,^[85] appeared on current affairs television program Today Tonight during a paid interview filmed in December 2006. Power, with her two children, had lived for months in Bali during the trial to support Schapelle Corby, made allegations that Corby's sister Mercedes had previously asked Power to transport drugs to Bali.^[86] Power also alleged that Mercedes had confessed to smuggling compressed cannabis concealed inside her body into Indonesia.^[87]

Power claimed that she had seen a vacuum sealed plastic bag similar to the one Schapelle Corby was convicted of using to transport the cannabis to Indonesia at Mercedes Corby's house. She said,"They were getting marijuana out of it. It looked like the same bag."^[88] In a further interview, when asked if Schapelle Corby had taken drugs, Power replied, "Yes ... I know she's had ecstasy, speed, cocaine."^[89]

Power took three polygraph tests on the program, failing the first but passing the next two. She maintained that she had told the truth about Schapelle Corby but had failed the first polygraph test because she had lied in response to personal questions relating to herself.

Power alleged that the Corby family had lied when stating they had no connections to cannabis. Photographs shown on the program reveal Mercedes smoking what appears to be cannabis.^[90] Mercedes Corby has admitted to having "the occasional puff (of marijuana) as a teenager"^[88] and indicated that it was her in the photographs shown on Today Tonight, but that they were taken at age 17. Power herself has admitted to marijuana use—at the Corby house.

In response to the statements made by Power, Mercedes Corby was quoted as saying, "Schapelle is in her final appeal and for Jodi to come out and lie is low", stating that the claims can damage Corby's appeal.^[91]

Mercedes Corby was interviewed in response to Power's claims on 14 February 2007 on A Current Affair.

Power's mother, Margaret Power, was interviewed on 13 February 2007 edition of Today Tonight. She stated that her daughter was telling the truth and then suggested that Mercedes Corby also take a polygraph test, expressing her belief that she would fail it.^{[citation needed]}

Today Tonight reported that the polygraph expert who conducted the lie detector test on Jodi Power has received numerous death threats.^[92] On 30 March 2007, Mercedes Corby filed suit for defamation against Today Tonight and its producers and staff. The matter was scheduled for initial hearing on 15 May 2007.^[93]

On 29 May 2008, the Seven Network was found to have defamed Mercedes Corby for implying that she was a drug smuggler and a drug dealer and also that she posed a threat to the safety of Jodi Power. Mercedes Corby's barrister described her to the jury as "an ordinary Australian" subjected to a "trial by media" solely because Schapelle Corby was "locked up in a stinking jail in Bali". The jury upheld the network's defence of truth for stating that Mercedes Corby possessed marijuana.^[94]

The case was subsequently settled on undisclosed terms.^[95] Corby's mother Rosleigh Rose also received a settlement from the Seven Network as a consequence of the same program.^[96]

Autobiography

In November 2006, Corby released an autobiography entitled My Story.^[97] The book has sold more than 100,000 copies.^[98] Copyrights for the book were assigned by Corby to her sister, Mercedes, and co-author Kathryn Bonella in a move some believe will allow Corby to access proceeds from the sale of the book and avoid Australian laws which restrict convicted criminals from profiting from the proceeds of crime.^[99] However, in March 2007, the Queensland Court of Appeal barred the Corby family from spending money generated by the book, pending a claim by the Commonwealth under laws which prevent those who commit crimes from profiting by them.^[100] The sum of $267,500 has been frozen pending forfeiture proceedings.^[101]

Qantas refused the use of light box displays to advertise the book at its Australian terminals, saying it was their right to refuse advertising they deem inappropriate on their premises.^[102]

In July 2007, a Queensland court granted the government the right to interview four individuals in the publishing industry, who were not named, in order to secure evidence.^[103] It was also revealed that the proceeds from the book, as well as from a subsequent paid interview, be deposited in the name of Mercedes Corby's Indonesian husband.^[104]

In 2008, Corby's autobiography was re-titled and published as No More Tomorrows^[105] for the international market and was made available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Dutch.

See also

• Bali Nine
• Illegal drug trade
• Legal issues of cannabis
• List of Australians in international prisons
• Michelle Leslie

References

1. ^ Little cheer for Bali drug suspect, /The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 December 2004. smh.com.au
2. ^ ^{a b} "Corby's sentence cut by three months". The Sun-Herald. 17 August 2008. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/corbys-term-cut-by-three-months/2008/08/17/1218911436557.html. Retrieved 17 August 2008. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Weighing the evidence, The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 March 2005
4. ^ ^{a b c} McMahon, Neil (27 May 2005). "The making of a Martyr". Melbourne: The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/news/Corby-Case/Australias-obsession/2005/05/26/1116950820548.html. Retrieved 16 May 2007. 
5. ^ "'Ex-husband' surprised at Corby ordeal". The Age (Melbourne). 17 May 2005. http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Exhusband-surprised-at-Corby-ordeal/2005/05/17/1116095950335.html. Retrieved 23 July 2009. 
6. ^ Duits, Kjeld (29 May 2005). "Schapelle Corby's Unknown Life in Japan". ikjeld.com. http://www.ikjeld.com/japannews/00000164.php. Retrieved 18 January 2008. 
7. ^ Evidence lost and bungled could decide trial, The Age, 5 March 2005
8. ^ ^{a b c} Cornford, PhilipC (5 March 2005). "Weighing the evidence". smh.com.au. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/03/04/1109700677359.html. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
9. ^ Coulthart, Ross (8 May 2005). "Schapelle Corby: A question of innocence". ninemsn.com.au/sunday. http://sgp1.paddington.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/cover_stories/transcript_1775.asp. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
10. ^ "AFP involved in drug smuggling: ex-detective". smh.com.au. 8 May 2005. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/afp-involved-in-drug-smuggling-exdetective/2005/05/08/1115491036872.html. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
11. ^ Program shown on Channel Nine Australia on 23 June 2008
12. ^ Government offers QCs for Corby appeals The Age, 27 May 2005
13. ^ Drug baron would kill us, Corby witness says, The Age, 30 March 2005
14. ^ Corby drug witness stabbed CNN, 6 May 2005
15. ^ "Corby lawyer 'got baggage handler defence from Triple J'". abc.net.au. 23 June 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/23/2282208.htm. Retrieved 17 July 2009. 
16. ^ Harvey, Claire (22 June 2008). "Baggage Handler Defence was a Lie". The Sunday Telegraph: pp. 4–5.. .
17. ^ McMahon, Neil (14 May 2005). "Too much baggage". smh.com.au. http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Too-much-baggage/2005/05/13/1115843374370.html. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
18. ^ Law Council angered by AFP comments on Corby case AM, 12 May 2005
19. ^ Corby's defence intelligence 'flimsy' The Age, 11 May 2005
20. ^ Guy Pilgrim and Rosleigh Rose
21. ^ "Corby's full statement". smh.com.au. 28 April 2005. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/04/28/1114635685537.html. Retrieved 17 July 2009. 
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24. ^ ^{a b} Bakir cuts all ties with Corby The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 June 2005
25. ^ Moore, Matthew (16 April 2005). "Corby bribery claims 'lies'". smh.com.au. http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Corby-bribery-claims-lies/2005/04/15/1113509927842.html. Retrieved 23 July 2009. 
26. ^ My life's in your hands, Corby tells judges The Australian, 29 April 2005
27. ^ Cindy Wockner in Bali and Lincoln Wright (15 May 2005). "Schapelle begs PM to save her | National News | News.com.au". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071021052026/http://news.com.au/story/0,10117,15294222-421,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2008. 
28. ^ Attard, Monica (13 March 2005). "Alexander Downer, Mercedes Corby and Ron Bakir". abc.net.au. http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/s1321407.htm. Retrieved 17 July 2009. 
29. ^ Judges had no option, law expert says The 7.30 Report, 27 May 2005
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37. ^ ^{a b} "Corby final appeal rejected, says Indon court>". The Age (Melbourne). 28 March 2008. http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/corby-loses-final-appeal/2008/03/28/1206207385491.html. 
38. ^ Ansley, Greg (26 June 2008). "Corby soap opera - sordid little drama that keeps on giving". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10518475. Retrieved 7 November 2011. 
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40. ^ "Mum demands to see Corby photos". Abc.net.au. http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200512/1531728.htm?sa. Retrieved 27 October 2008. 
41. ^ ^{a b c} Webb, Carolyn (20 January 2006). "Corby clan's growing list of misadventures - National - theage.com.au". Melbourne: Theage.com.au. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/01/19/1137553712153.html. Retrieved 27 October 2008. 
42. ^ Sluggett, Tegan (12 January 2006). "Corby in the Clear". AdelaideNow. http://members.iinet.net.au/~djwolf/corby_in_the_clear.html. Retrieved 27 January 2007. 
43. ^ "PM 'can't interfere', sends letter to Bali". smh.com.au. 15 May 2005. http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/PM-cant-interfere-sends-letter-to-Bali/2005/05/15/1116095841311.html. Retrieved 24 March 2010. 
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46. ^ Corby to come home in prisoner swap deal The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 June 2006
47. ^ Kruger, Colin (13 May 2005). "It's a mad, mad world for Ron". The Age (Melbourne). http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/Its-a-mad-mad-world-for-Ron/2005/05/12/1115843311241.html. Retrieved 2 July 2008. 
48. ^ Poll: public divided over Corby, The Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 2005
49. ^ AAP (5 June 2005). "Downer plays down Corby death call | NEWS.com.au". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071021052031/http://news.com.au/story/0,10117,15516750-2,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2008. 
50. ^ Mother denies Corby eating out in Bali, The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 March 2008
51. ^ Knox, David (12 June 2008). "Airdate: Schapelle Corby: The Hidden Truth". tvtonight.com.au. http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/06/airdate-schapelle-corby-the-hidden-truth.html. Retrieved 30 August 2009. 
52. ^ ^{a b} It's Time to Bring Corby Home: Poll, The Age, 15 August 2010.
53. ^ "No firing squad for Schapelle Corby". National Business Review. 21 April 2005. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/no-firing-squad-schapelle-corby. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
54. ^ Julia Medew (1 June 2005). "Luggage fears prompt flyers to lock up". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/news/Corby-Case/Luggage-fears-prompt-flyers-to-lock-up/2005/05/31/1117305618674.html. 
55. ^ "Schapelle Corby's teary breakdown behind bars". news.com.au. 11 May 2009. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25465195-661,00.html. Retrieved 11 May 2009. ^{[dead link]}
56. ^ ^{a b} "Schapelle Corby, Renae Lawrence given five-month sentence cuts". smh.com.au. 17 August 2010. http://www.smh.com.au/world/schapelle-corby-renae-lawrence-given-fivemonth-sentence-cuts-20100817-127u6.html. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
57. ^ Indonesia cuts Corby's sentence ABC, 17 August 2006
58. ^ "Corby, Lawrence sentence cut". heraldsun.com.au. 25 December 2006. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/corby-lawrence-sentence-cut/story-e6frf7l6-1111112737235. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
59. ^ Month's remission for Corby, Lawrence The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 December 2006
60. ^ Money-for-photos hoax cuts jail visits The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 December 2007
61. ^ "Schapelle Corby, Renae Lawrence get sentence cuts". news.com.au. 17 August 2009. http://www.news.com.au/world/schapelle-corby-renae-lawrence-get-sentence-cuts/story-e6frfkyi-1225762840084. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
62. ^ "Schapelle Corby's jail term cut for Christmas". news.com.au. 26 December 2010. http://www.news.com.au/world/corbys-jail-term-cut-for-christmas/story-e6frfl00-1225976298217. Retrieved 26 December 2010. 
63. ^ www.abc.net.au. 18 August 2011. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-18/indonesia-cuts-jail-terms-of-corby2c-lawrence/2844460. Retrieved 18 August 2011. 
64. ^ "Schapelle's shampoo session - World - smh.com.au". Smh.com.au. 3 July 2008. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/schapelles-shampoo-session/2008/07/02/1214950842312.html. Retrieved 27 October 2008. 
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67. ^ Wockner, Cindy (24 May 2009). "Depressed Schapelle Corby rushed to the hospital". The Courier Mail. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25529721-38196,00.html. Retrieved 24 May 2009. 
68. ^ "Queensland Premier Bligh says Corby should serve jail in Australia". News.smh.com.au. 25 August 2009. http://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland-premier-bligh-says-corby-should-serve-jail-in-australia-20090825-exda.html. Retrieved 25 August 2009. 
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70. ^ Bonella, Kathryn (15 April 2007). "My Life: Mercedes Corby". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21550399-5006011,00.html. Retrieved 6 July 2008. 
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72. ^ Cornford, Phil (20 January 2006). "Oh brother, the family nightmare begins again". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/oh-brother-the-family-nightmare-begins-again/2006/01/19/1137553712018.html. Retrieved 6 July 2008. 
73. ^ Michelmore, Karen (21 June 2008). "Schapelle Corby 'may be placed in mental institution'". news.com.au. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23898595-401,00.html. Retrieved 15 November 2008. ^{[dead link]}
74. ^ ^{a b} Corby insider exposes family's dark past, The Australian, 13 February 2007
75. ^ Meet the Corbys, The Australian, 13 February 2007
76. ^ Corby's father linked to drug accused, ABC, 31 January 2006
77. ^ Corby's father dies, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 January 2008
78. ^ "Family matters cause more Corby conflict". The New Zealand Herald. 2 February 2006. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10366538. Retrieved 7 November 2011. 
79. ^ ^{a b} Corby's brother to fight drug charge, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 January 2006
80. ^ Half-brother's trial may aid Corby ABC, 19 January 2006
81. ^ "Corby's brother in court on drug charges". smh.com.au. 8 March 2006. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/corbys-brother-in-court-on-drug-charges/2006/03/08/1141701549823.html. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
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83. ^ Schapelle's Brother Set To Walk Free Seven News
84. ^ No proof on Corby brother The Australian, 24 January 2006
85. ^ Pack mentality surrounds Schapelle, The Australian, 13 February 2007
86. ^ Gibson, Jano (13 February 2007). "Corby sister to sue over 'lies'". smh.com.au. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/corby-sister-to-sue-over-lies/2007/02/13/1171128940667.html. Retrieved 3 January 2011. 
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88. ^ ^{a b} Corby sister to sue over 'lies', The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 February 2007
89. ^ Old friend's new claim: Schapelle did drugs too, The Australian, 15 February 2007
90. ^ Former friend accuses Corby family of drug trafficking The Australian, 12 February 2007
91. ^ Schapelle's sister to sue National Nine News (via ninemsn.com.au) 13 February 2007
92. ^ YouTube.com
93. ^ "Corby sues Today Tonight - National - smh.com.au". Smh.com.au. 2 April 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/corby-sues-today-tonight/2007/04/02/1175366152418.html. Retrieved 27 October 2008. 
94. ^ Mercedes Corby was defamed by Seven, jury finds, news.com.au
95. ^ "Corby accepts Seven's cash offer - National - smh.com.au". Smh.com.au. 2 June 2008. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/corby-accepts-sevens-cash-offer/2008/06/02/1212258717549.html. Retrieved 27 October 2008. 
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97. ^ Corby, Schapelle; Bonella, Kathyn (2006). My Story. Macmillan. ISBN 1405037911. 
98. ^ She's bold, she's beautiful, and Schapelle's life is totally sick The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 November 2006
99. ^ Corby may not see money from bestseller The Australian, 2 February 2007
100. ^ Court Freezes Corby Book Profit, The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 March 2007
101. ^ SMHA.com.au "Corby sues Today Tonight"
102. ^ Corby blasts Qantas ban, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 November 2006
103. ^ "Four to be quizzed about Corby book deal". smh.com.au. 24 July 2007. http://news.smh.com.au/national/four-to-be-quizzed-about-corby-book-deal-20070724-pgx.html. Retrieved 24 March 2010. 
104. ^ Powell, Sian; Lalor, Peter (3 April 2007). "Corby cash trail exposed in court". news.com.au. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21494498-2,00.html. Retrieved 2 September 2009. ^{[dead link]}
105. ^ Corby, Schapelle; Bonella, Kathyn (2008). No More Tomorrows. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 1845963865. http://books.google.com/books?id=b8U3KAAACAAJ. 

Further reading

• Wilson, Tony (2008). Schapelle: The Facts, The Evidence, The Truth. New Holland. ISBN 1741107113. 
• "Snapped with alleged dealer". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 December 2005. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/snapped-with-alleged-dealer/2005/12/10/1134086845341.html. 
• "Here's a thriller for a long flight". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 September 2005. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/heres-a-thriller-for-a-long-flight/2005/09/21/1126982127294.html. 
• "I ask for you... to find me innocent". Melbourne: The Age. 29 April 2005. http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Corbys-statement-in-full/2005/04/28/1114635690096.html. 
• Taylor, Rob (22 April 2005). "Crowe heartbroken at Corby's plight". Melbourne: The Age. http://theage.com.au/articles/2005/04/22/1114152318870.html. 
• Jones, Tod (2006). "Sentencing Schapelle A Drug-Induced Discussion on the Differences between Australia and Southeast Asia". Overland. http://espace.lis.curtin.edu.au/archive/00001117/. 

External links

• HBO Documentaries - Ganga Queen

Persondata
Name	Corby, Schapelle
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	10 July 1977
Place of birth	Tugun, Queensland, Australia
Date of death
Place of death