Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jan 2006
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2006 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Schapelle+Corby

HALF-BROTHER'S TRIAL MAY AID CORBY

Schapelle Corby's lawyers say they may have grounds to appeal against
her conviction for drug smuggling if her half-brother is found guilty
on drugs charges.

Earlier today 18-year-old James Sioeli Kisina, from Loganlea, appeared
in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court, south of Brisbane.

He faced eight charges, including producing and possessing a dangerous
drug, deprivation of liberty and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Erwin Siregar says that if Kisina is convicted, Corby's legal team
could use the decision to argue that he was the owner of the boogie
board bag full of marijuana.

The boogie board was the key evidence presented during Corby's drug
smuggling trial.

"If there is a sentence from Australian court to say this thing
belongs to James, of course we as lawyers in Bali will bring this
evidence to the court to say this thing does not belong to Schapelle,"
he said.

But Corby's former lawyer, Robin Tampoe, says he hopes it does not
have a bearing on any future legal appeals.

"It shouldn't have an impact because it doesn't relate to her but
everything filters back to the judges, everything filters back to the
prosecutors," he said.

"They know exactly what is going on in Australia so it certainly won't
paint her in the best possible light as far as the judicial system
over there is concerned."

Corby is serving a 15-year jail term in for drug trafficking in
Bali.

Kisina was arrested yesterday, along with two other men, after police
investigations into a break-and-enter on Brisbane's southside on Tuesday.

He was refused bail and has been remanded in custody to reappear in
court on March 8.

Defence lawyer Stefan Simms says his client does not accept the
charges as they stand.

"As I said in court, he's seeking to obtain information which would
assist in Schappelle Corby's appeal," he said.

"He was only attending in the house because he was given information
which led him to believe that the occupants were drug dealers.

"We had that suspicion confirmed by the arresting officer."
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