Eric Volz: Difference between revisions
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== Case reopened == |
== Case reopened == |
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On November 16, 2008, |
On November 16, 2008, Volz announced via a YouTube video that the Nicaraguan government had reopened its case against him after 11 months. Volz argued that retrying an acquitted person violates Nicaragua's constitution and he claimed political motivation, specifically anti-American sentiment, for this action. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 22:05, 13 January 2009
Eric Volz (born May 19, 1979) is an American who was sentenced to a 30-year prison term in Nicaragua following his conviction for the rape and murder of ex-girlfriend Doris Ivania Jiménez in San Juan del Sur, on November 21, 2006.
An appeals court overturned the conviction on December 17, 2007 and Volz was released from prison on December 21, 2007. He left Nicaragua immediately and went into hiding in an unknown location outside Nicaragua over concerns for his physical safety.
Friends and supporters in both countries had insisted on Volz's innocence, claiming that the trial court ignored evidence, and that Volz was the victim of anti-gringo sentiment.[1] Opponents in Nicaragua protested against his release due to what they perceived as special consideration as an American, pressure from the United States government, and accusations that Volz's family bribed the appellate court judges.[2][3]
Early life
Volz is a former resident of Nashville and a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, where he majored in Latin American Studies.[4] Volz later moved to Managua, where he sold real estate and launched EP (El Puente) Magazine, advocating for smart growth and ecotourism.[5]
Arrest for murder
In November 2006, Doris Ivania Jiménez, a Nicaraguan who had dated Volz, was murdered at midday in her store in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, a coastal town near Rivas. Volz was arrested and charged with her murder.[6] However, according to both associates and mobile phone records, Volz was at his home in Managua, which also served as the magazine headquarters, conducting meetings and business, including a conference call with contacts in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States, and telephone and Internet logs confirm this.[6] Managua is two hours' drive from San Juan del Sur.[5]
On February 14, 2007, a police officer testified that Julio Martin Chamorro Lopez, who the day of the crime was seen acting suspiciously, contacted "Rosita," an employee of Doris Ivania's boutique, and offered her $5,000 to allow the murderer into the boutique.[7] Chamorro claimed that Volz and another foreigner, whom he did not identify, participated in the murder. Mercedes Alvarado, mother of the victim, described Volz as a jealous man whom her daughter believed would kill her because of his jealousy.
Volz was arrested November 23, 2006 and charged with murder, based on the claims of a Nicaraguan man who was originally charged with the murder and later released.[5] According to Volz's attorneys, Nicaraguan prosecutors did not produce any physical evidence before or at trial.[6] Although ten witnesses supported Volz's alibi, the trial court judge, Ivette Toruño Blanco, only permitted the testimony of three. At the conclusion of the trial, Judge Toruño Blanco convicted Volz and sentenced him to 30 years in a Nicaraguan penitentiary.
On December 17, 2007, Volz was ordered released after an appeals court overturned the conviction. His passport and bail of $10,000 were to be returned: Volz, however, was not immediately freed because a judge failed to show up for an afternoon meeting to arrange his release.[8] Local judge Ivette Toruño Blanco delayed signing the order releasing him.[9] On December 20, 2007, a Nicaraguan appeals court in Granada signed release papers for Volz. The release came despite a prosecutor's decision to appeal the case to the Supreme Court and despite their assertions that their appeal would stay Volz's release. Prosecutor Isolda Ibarra, who conducted the prosecution of Volz at trial, had stated earlier, "we presented the appeal, and the law is clear: that the release is suspended until the high court rules on the case." Magistrate judges in the appeals court in Nicaragua have up to 10 days to review the request for appeal.
Eric Volz's mother appeared on NBC's Today Show on December 21, 2007 petitioning the Nicaraguan government to release her son. She received support from the White House with a speech from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.[10]
The same day a Nicaraguan appeals court in Granada cleared up the confusion and signed release papers for Volz. Volz left Nicaragua on Friday afternoon, said Eddie Vasquez, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department.[1]
Case reopened
On November 16, 2008, Volz announced via a YouTube video that the Nicaraguan government had reopened its case against him after 11 months. Volz argued that retrying an acquitted person violates Nicaragua's constitution and he claimed political motivation, specifically anti-American sentiment, for this action.
References
- ^ a b CNN Anderson Cooper, 2007
- ^ Garcia, Edmundo (2007-12-27). "American freed in Nicaragua goes into hiding". CNN. Retrieved 2007-12-22.[dead link]
- ^ Celizic, Mike (2007-12-21). "Will Nicaragua ever set Eric Volz free?". MSNBC. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
- ^ "Eric's Story". Friends of Eric Volz. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ^ a b c Brad Schrade (March 18, 2007). "From Nashville to Nicaragua, family fights to free son". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2007-03-22.[dead link]
- ^ a b c Jared Allen. "Volz victim of cultural, political, judicial perfect storm". Nashville City Paper. Retrieved 2007-03-22.[dead link]
- ^ Quintero, Lésber. "Testimonios que hunden a Eric Volz". El Nuevo Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved 2007-10-10.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Lyons, John (2007-12-17). "Man Profiled in WSJ Is Freed In Nicaraguan Murder Case". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
- ^ Rogers, Tim (2007-12-18). "Gringo Justice in Nicaragua". Time. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ^ "Mother of Eric Volz petitions for her sons release". Today. Retrieved 2007-12-21.