Nicaragua: Eric Volz
Written byDavid Sasaki
Bloggings by Boz links to a Miami Herald article about Eric Volz, a 27-year-old California native imprisoned in Nicaragua for rape and homicide. Writes Boz, “it doesn't sound like the Nicaraguan authorities have any evidence other than one convicted drug trafficker's statement to back up their arrest.” Citizen 192 has posted a documentary video from Volz's friends, families, and supporters. Revaz Ardesher meditates on the need for empathy in his effort to bring about Volz's release. Liestoppers and Loneprairie have more.
Written byDavid Sasaki
41 comments
It is sickening to see how this process has evolved. I am very sorry for the brutal killing of this young lady, but believe it is also very tragic that Eric was not given a fair trial. There is absolutely no evidence against this man, yet this so-called judge finds him guilty in a matter of minutes…what a mockery. The marks on his shoulder are consistent with marks you may get, if you have fair skin, while carrying a heavy object. It is obvious that there is a lot of hate against the US in this part of the world, probably justified, and Eric happens to be an escape valve. I hope Nicaragua is not counting on tourism as a solid source of income…I would extremely afraid of visiting this country.
I watched part of the dateline episode and what I missed I watched on line. This is my take: Does he come across as arrogant? YES Might he be a jerk? perhaps, I don’t know him so I couldn’t say… but that does NOT make him guilty of murder. I think my sentiment is most in line with the reporter that they interviewed on dateline said when he said something along the lines of ….I don’t know him, I don’t want to know him, but it bothers me that such an injustice can be committed against anyone….
I do have one question though on dateline he says that the people with the car rental place lied when they said that they did not see him, however on his website it says that the rental car people never saw him because one of the employees took the credit car receipt for him to sign (see http://www.friendsofericvolz.com/facts.htm) and compare with what he said on dateline story… I do not think he is guilty but that is the only thing I could not understand… can anyone clear this up for me?
This brings to light the typical “anti-gringo” sentiment of people from Central and South America. I feel that it is a vulgar, racist term. However, I hear it constantly from everyday Central and South American people, college-educated or not.
he is innocent KEIN! Those marks had no relation to finger nail scratches!!!!!!!!! The judge is a complete idiotic MORAN and was in fear of her own life so she decided to put an innocent u.s. man behind bars bc it was easier for HER! She threw out ALL the crucial evidence and thinks people made up the fact they were with Eric at the time of the murder. Just proof she is an incompitent, sorry ass excuse for a judge! She needs to go to jail and suffer the same Eric is suffering!
Did he refuse a lie detector test? If so the Judge then KNOWS he’s guilty. A lie detector test would prove his innocence or guilt. And don’t say they don’t work. I happen to know for a fact they are very, very accurate.
claudia, no he did not take or refuse a polygraph test. and they are not accurate or admissible in court. at best they generally run about 55-65% accurate, clearly not enough to convict someone of anything. they are merely an investigation tool to make someone who is dis honest break and tell the truth.
“If so the Judge then KNOWS he’s guilty.”
What? You clearly have no background in law or have a basic understanding of polygraph tests. It is completely subjective. Cliff’s stats are high. The percentage might be somewhat close to that in the context of law enforcement where the majority of the people are guilty and the testers have a preconceived notion. Basically it’s about the same as a magic 8 ball. 55% is almost half wrong as well.
I know him, he may be a litle cocky, he may come across as somewhat arrogant. But Eric is an honest man, he is a loving soul, he could never harm some one like this. NEVER. This judge was just a coward, she KNOWS he’s inocent, she’s just afraid of the treaths she got. He WILL be free, because is IS inocent.
Where is all the media coverage about Julio Rosita Chamorro? The admitted killer of Doris, obsessed with the victim and deeply jealous of Eric… this would be a lot different if the media had shed some light on this guy and not just on the foriegner (Eric). It is amazing that nothing is getting out about Rosita, there is your killer, and there is your story!
I believe the Volz defense opted for the judge to deliver the verdict rather than a jury. Public opinion was so much against him at the time that they felt they had better chances with just a judge. Obviously, this was a mistake on the defense’s part.
The following is footage from the courtroom where Volz is being sentenced, along with some of the evidence that was used to convict him. And then most of this evidence is refuted. Basically, the logic of the judge is unbelievable. For example, it examines the marks on Volz’ shoulder and points out why they are virtually impossible to be caused by human fingernails.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLIv9fi-JmI
The judge threw out the testimony of the prosecution’s own expert witness who testified that none of the forensic evidence at the crime scene matched Volz, and even the blood type of blood found did not match Eric Volz.
One of the prosecutor’s witnesses stated that when she called Eric Volz at 2:43pm and informed him of Doris’ death, he didn’t cry. Now, that phone call was made to Eric’s cell phone, and went through a cell tower in MANAGUA. The prosecution’s own witness puts Volz in Managua at 2:43pm!!! The rental car was delivered at 3:11pm to Managua. Thus, whether or not the rental car people saw Volz is irrelevant. The prosecution’s own witness puts him there already.