|
|
|
 Americas & Beyond | April 2008 
Ottawa Eyes Options for Transferring Martin if Found Guilty
 W. Brice McVicar - Belleville Intelligencer
go to original
| | Despite a sworn affidavit provided by Waage saying Martin had no knowledge of his operations and despite her own continued profession of innocence, Martin has remained in jail for more than two years. | | |
Trenton, Ont. — The federal government is examining its options for a potential prisoner transfer should Brenda Martin be found guilty next week.
Rick Norlock, the local member of Parliament for Martin, formerly of Trenton, Ont., told the Belleville Intelligencer he has already spoken with both Canadian and Mexican government officials about getting Martin returned to Canada as soon as possible.
"I can tell you that I did speak to Minister (of Public Safety, Stockwell) Day because he would be one of the contingencies," Norlock said Thursday.
Earlier this week Martin, who has been in a Mexican jail since Feb. 17, 2006, was told the decision in her case will be delivered on April 18.
In the event she is found guilty, Martin can appeal the decision, but her friend and advocate Deb Tieleman has said Martin would not go that route. Rather, she said Martin would begin filing paperwork requesting a transfer to a Canadian jail.
Norlock said any action by the Canadian government hinges on the outcome of next Friday’s court proceedings.
However, he said he did speak with Mexican officials about such a situation when he and MP Jason Kenney travelled to the country last month to speak with Martin.
His discussions with officials indicate a transfer would be expedited, Norlock said.
"I was told they would not have any delays," he said.
"I was given general assurances that there will be no administrative delays and it would be expeditious handling of any contingencies."
Norlock said he knows some people believe the judge will find Martin guilty but he is more concerned with getting her home.
"No matter what the scenario is, Brenda Martin has suffered enough," he said. "It’s time to get her home. Period."
During his March trip to Mexico, Norlock said he told Martin the Mexican government had made assurances that things would be handled quickly. He has also relayed that message to Day, who said Canada may do the same.
"He’s aware of what Brenda talked to us about, and I asked him that he do the same thing as the Mexican government, and he didn’t give me any indication that there would be any problem handling the matter expeditiously," Norlock said.
Martin was employed as a chef for a former Albertan, Alyn Waage, in Puerto Vallarta for 10 months in 2001. Waage was operating an Internet fraud scheme at the time. 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 despite her own continued profession of innocence, Martin has remained in jail for more than two years. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us