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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | April 2008 
Big Day for Brenda Martin
 W. Brice McVicar - The Intelligencer
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| | It's decision day for Brenda Martin. | | |
After more than two years in a Mexican prison, the former Trenton-resident is expected to learn today whether she is guilty or innocent in the eyes of the Mexican judicial system. Judge Luis Nunez Sandoval had initially promised a verdict by Friday but, at the 11th hour, announced the verdict would be delivered today.
Martin's lawyer, Guillermo Cruz Rico, told The Intelligencer he is apprehensive about today's court proceedings.
"I'm a little bit nervous but I am confident because I think we put forward a good argument," he said. "I think we showed that Brenda is not guilty."
Should Martin be found innocent she would be immediately released from the Puente Grande women's prison she has called home since February 2006.
"She'll be able to walk out of the prison the same day," Cruz said. "That would be nice."
Cruz said a guilty verdict would mean Martin could either appeal the decision or she could request a prisoner transfer to Canada. Such a transfer generally takes six to nine months but Cruz said he understands both Canadian and Mexican officials have agreed to expedite the process for Martin.
Deb Tieleman, Martin's friend and a strong voice for the imprisoned woman, said she is confident the court will find the 51-year-old woman innocent. In fact, Tieleman is so confident she has already booked a flight home for Martin.
"I'm that confident," she said. "I'll be bringing Brenda home with me this week."
Tieleman said she has been told if Martin is found guilty she will be flown to Mexico City "almost immediately" and handed over to Canadian authorities.
Martin, who faces a charge of knowingly accepting illicit funds, will not be in court today when the verdict is delivered. She will remain in prison and Tieleman will stay with her for moral support. Tieleman also spent Monday with her friend in prison.
"She just held my hand and cried," she said. "She's pretty scared." Martin was employed as a chef for a former Albertan, Alyn Richard Waage, in Puerto Vallarta for 10 months in 2001. Waage was operating an Internet fraud scheme at the time though he pretended to be an investor. He was eventually arrested and is serving a 10-year sentence in an American jail.
Through further investigation, Mexican officials came to believe Martin was also involved in the scheme. She was charged with money laundering and being part of a criminal conspiracy.
Despite a sworn affidavit provided by Waage saying Martin had no knowledge of his operations and her own continued profession of innocence Martin has remained in jail since Feb. 17, 2006. |
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