Update Here

I have received very disturbing news this evening. Eric Volz has been falsely convicted of murder in Managua, Nicaragua this afternoon. One of my best friends was a key witness at the trial and told me that none of the evidence was even considered by the judge and that this verdict was "political".

Full details of this story can be found here.

Here is the update from Eric's family:

Trial Update

With the heaviest heart we inform everyone that the judge just pronounced Eric “guilty”. We are in a state of total shock and disbelief. It is incomprehensible that we find ourselves dealing with what may come next.

Our understanding from the Embassy is that Eric will be remanded back into the penitentiary system. We are, as we were before, extremely, extremely worried about his safety.

Please contact your Congresspersons immediately!!!

Go to the Friends of Eric web site to “Congressional Contact” to find the link to your Congressman as soon as possible to register your outrage at this judgment.

The prosecution presented no evidence that Eric is any way connected to, or guilt, of this crime. We strongly believe this may be a politically-based decision.

www.friendsofericvolz.com

Thank you for your prayers and hope – the vigil continues.

Eric’s family

Read more for full story details.

Story Background
The following information has been passed onto me by a very good friend that I trust completely. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of this account. Please contact your Congressman and ask what the United States is doing to protect a falsely accused citizen. And pray for Eric.

"Hundreds have asked how to help Eric get a fair trial that is based on facts, not irresponsible newspaper sensationalism. Despite being over 2 hours away when the crime happened in the middle of the day, in the company of many others, newspapers are accusing Eric of committing the crime. Those of us who know and love Eric are deeply grateful for your efforts and support, including contacting your Senator or Congressperson to let them know about this horrible injustice to Eric, who was very nearly killed by a lynch mob last week. The Nicaraguan government has charged Eric with murdering a former girlfriend. He is awaiting his trial in prison in Nicaragua.

Eric is completely innocent of this charge. The evidence shows that at the time of her murder Eric was in another city over two hours away. Not only did at least 6 witnesses see him in Managua at the same time on the same day of the murder; with help from our U.S. Embassy, phone records prove Eric was not in San Juan del Sur when she was killed. Based on the attitude of the police, the prosecution and the press in Nicaragua, Eric is being persecuted for this crime simply because he is American."

• On Tuesday, November 21, Maggie (Eric’s Mom) receives a message from Eric that Doris Ivania Alvarado Jimenez (his former girl friend – a native Nicaraguan) was found dead in her store in the small Pacific coastal town of San Juan del Sur.
• During the time of and day of her murder, Eric is working in his office in Managua with the EP Magazine staff. He is over two hours away from the place of the crime.
• Eric drives to San Juan from Managua (approximately 2.5 hours southwest). Eric picks up Doris’ father and aunt on his way to San Juan.
• Eric goes to the police offering to help, including paying for an autopsy and an investigation, if necessary.
• Thursday, November 23, After Doris’ funeral and burial Eric returns to police station to check on progress of the investigation, at which point he was arrested and jailed in Rivas, Nicaragua (about 30 minutes away from San Juan – comparable to a county-seat town in the U.S.).
• Although Eric is charged along with three other men, the prosecution later dismisses the case against one man and makes the other man a government witness without explanation.
• On the day before Eric’s preliminary hearing, announcements are made via loud speakers throughout the streets of San Juan encouraging San Juan residents to attend the hearing so they can “Stand up for their rights and bring justice to the gringo.” Transportation is provided for residents to the hearing.
• El Nuevo Diario, a Nicaraguan newspaper, begins printing a series of salacious articles detailing what they refer to as the crime by the “North American,” including photos of Eric, of Doris’ body, but none of the other defendants.
• Eric’s preliminary hearing on December 6 hearing is postponed to December 7, at the request of the Prosecution. Approximately 300 residents of San Juan come to Rivas for the hearing not knowing of the postponement.
• On the date of the hearing, December 7, Eric is walked by a few police several blocks through jeering crowd to the courthouse. The crowd attacks Eric’s group, the police scatter, Eric runs unprotected to courthouse for safety. A mob of over 300 people stand in front of the courthouse waiting for Eric to be taken out of the courthouse. The screaming of the crowd can be heard inside the courtroom. Eric is bound over for trial the end of January 2007.
• The crowd yells, “Come out gringo, because here we are going to kill you!” The police did nothing to get the mob out of the area. Indeed, the police insist on taking Eric out the front door of the courthouse and walk him to a corner to get inside a truck. As Eric approaches the truck, it speeds off without him leaving Eric stuck in midst of the angry crowd. Eric runs through the crowd to escape into a nearby building for protection. Police finally rescue him and an Embassy official that was accompanying him for his protection after nearly 1 hour in hiding.

The situation in Nicaragua continues to be very serious as Eric’s safety is not assured. Please continue to pray for Eric’s health, well-being, and his ultimate and timely release. This is literally an URGENT matter of life and death - do NOT delay!!!"