Martin Stephens

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Martin Stephens
Born 1976
Alias(es) Bali Nine
Conviction(s) Drug trafficking
Penalty Life in prison
Status Imprisoned (Indonesia)

Martin Eric Stephens (born 1976 [1]) is a former bartender from Towradgi, a suburb of Wollongong, New South Wales. He is known as a member of the Bali Nine, discovered with 3.3 kg of heroin concealed on his body at Denpasar airport during his first trip to Bali. On February 14, 2006, Stephens was sentenced to life imprisonment [2]. Stephens since appealed his sentence along with eight other members of the Bali Nine. [3]. On April 26 2006, Bali Nine members Lawrence, Nguyen, Chen, Czugaj and Norman had their sentences reduced to 20 year sentences on appeal [1]. Stephens' appeal was heard by a different judge, who upheld his life sentence.

On September 6, 2006 several members of the Bali nine who had had their sentences reduced to 20 years and had then launched further appeals, had their sentences upgraded to death [2]. The life sentences for Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj were upheld [3].

On December 20, 2006, Stephens announced he planned to marry Christine Winarni Puspayanti, an Indonesian woman he'd met whilst serving time inside Kerobokan Prison [4].

Contents

[edit] Early life

Stephens worked as a bartender with fellow defendants Renae Lawrence, Matthew Norman and Andrew Chan at the Eurest Catering Company in New South Wales. He claims he was forced to travel to Bali and proceed with the smuggling by Chan, who showed Stephens photographs of his family going about their daily lives, and saying they would be killed if he didn't cooperate, saying

"They threatened me. They threatened my family, my friends, my love - my girlfriend… They showed me pictures." [5].

[edit] Criminal trial

Police evidence photograph showing heroin strapped to the body of Martin Stephens upon his arrest in Indonesia.
Police evidence photograph showing heroin strapped to the body of Martin Stephens upon his arrest in Indonesia.

Adnan Wirawan, the lawyer of Martin Stephens, says his client has been unfairly accused as the ring leader of the alleged conspiracy. "He's a human suitcase... he was being told what to do." Fellow accused Michael Czugaj and Scott Rush, school friends from Brisbane have testified that they had never met Stephens or Renae Lawrence until they were all arrested on April 17, 2005.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Four of Bali Nine have sentences reduced, NineMSN, April 27, 2006
  2. ^ Execution shock for four of the Bali nine, The Age, September 6, 2006
  3. ^ Four of Bali Nine have sentences reduced, NineMSN, April 27, 2006

[edit] References

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Bali Nine