Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 6, 2006 13:24:29 GMT -5
This story is from our news.com.au network Source: AAP
Rush family 'stunned' at death penalty
September 06, 2006
THE mother of convicted Bali Nine drug courier Scott Rush said today the family was "stunned" after being told her son faces the death penalty following an unsuccessful court appeal.
Indonesia's Supreme Court upgraded sentences on four of the nine, ruling Rush, 20, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, 23, Si Yi Chen, 21, and 19-year-old Matthew Norman should face the firing squad.
After hours of uncertainty over the news, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) called Rush's mother Christine in Brisbane this afternoon to confirm the shock news.
“I think we are just stunned,” she said.
“We were notified by DFAT about 4.15pm (AEST) this afternoon.”
Rush had gone to the Supreme Court to appeal his life sentence, while Indonesian prosecutors had lodged appeals seeking to overturn the High Court's decision to cut life terms for Nguyen, Chen and Norman to 20 years.
The death sentences are a shock because prosecutors had asked only that their life terms be re-affirmed.
Mrs Rush said she was left “shaking her head” after DFAT could not explain why her family had not been told earlier about the court appeal verdict, news of which emerged in Fairfax newspapers overnight.
She said the Federal Government could also not explain how the appeal could have backfired so badly when prosecutors had only asked for a life sentence.
Rush's father Lee said earlier today that the family was “dumbfounded” and was doing its best to cope.
He said the family hoped to fly out to Bali soon.
Six of the Bali Nine now face the firing squad, after the Supreme Court also upheld death sentences imposed on ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran, 25, and Andrew Chan, 22.
However, Supreme Court judges had decided to impose only life sentences on Martin Stephens, 30, and Michael Czugaj, 21, following appeals to the nation's highest court, chief judge in the case Muhammad Taufik said today.
Renae Lawrence did not lodge a further appeal to her 20-year sentence.
Rush family 'stunned' at death penalty
September 06, 2006
THE mother of convicted Bali Nine drug courier Scott Rush said today the family was "stunned" after being told her son faces the death penalty following an unsuccessful court appeal.
Indonesia's Supreme Court upgraded sentences on four of the nine, ruling Rush, 20, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, 23, Si Yi Chen, 21, and 19-year-old Matthew Norman should face the firing squad.
After hours of uncertainty over the news, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) called Rush's mother Christine in Brisbane this afternoon to confirm the shock news.
“I think we are just stunned,” she said.
“We were notified by DFAT about 4.15pm (AEST) this afternoon.”
Rush had gone to the Supreme Court to appeal his life sentence, while Indonesian prosecutors had lodged appeals seeking to overturn the High Court's decision to cut life terms for Nguyen, Chen and Norman to 20 years.
The death sentences are a shock because prosecutors had asked only that their life terms be re-affirmed.
Mrs Rush said she was left “shaking her head” after DFAT could not explain why her family had not been told earlier about the court appeal verdict, news of which emerged in Fairfax newspapers overnight.
She said the Federal Government could also not explain how the appeal could have backfired so badly when prosecutors had only asked for a life sentence.
Rush's father Lee said earlier today that the family was “dumbfounded” and was doing its best to cope.
He said the family hoped to fly out to Bali soon.
Six of the Bali Nine now face the firing squad, after the Supreme Court also upheld death sentences imposed on ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran, 25, and Andrew Chan, 22.
However, Supreme Court judges had decided to impose only life sentences on Martin Stephens, 30, and Michael Czugaj, 21, following appeals to the nation's highest court, chief judge in the case Muhammad Taufik said today.
Renae Lawrence did not lodge a further appeal to her 20-year sentence.