Mexico: Martin 'clearly guilty'

Toronto Sun

Thu, April 24, 2008
Mexico: Martin 'clearly guilty'

By ROMINA MAURINO, THE CANADIAN PRESS

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- The evidence against Brenda Martin clearly shows she is guilty and, despite her supporters' complaints, she was given a fair trial, a Mexican official said yesterday.

"The facts and the evidence that the decision was based on show clearly that she is guilty," said Heriberto Estrada, a government lawyer with Judge Luis Nunez's office.

Her lawyer, Guillermo Cruz, said he wouldn't appeal the verdict because Martin has chosen to be transferred to Canada.

Until she can be transferred, the judge has asked prison staff "to make sure she doesn't hurt or kill herself," Estrada said.

Estrada, who on Tuesday read the decision sentencing Martin, 51, to five years in prison, defended the ruling after severe criticism from the Trenton woman's family and supporters.

'SAVE FACE'

Martin's mother accused Mexican officials of finding her guilty to "save face" and because she "never paid any bribes."

Conservative sources said MP Jason Kenney, secretary of state for multiculturalism, will travel to Mexico later this week to discuss a prisoner transfer with Mexican officials.

Kenney said on Tuesday that Martin's transfer could take between six and nine months, although the government would try to speed up the process.

James Morton of Toronto law firm Steinberg Morton Hope and Israel, said it might only be a matter of weeks before Martin returns and she could be released on parole shortly afterward.

Martin has been in jail for two years in connection with the scheme run by her former boss.

James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4