MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Well my friends, I arrived in Seattle today, Wednesday, at 1130AM, officially ending the Thai saga. After a brief scare with my airline ticket, I cleared immigration and paid the fine for my overstay, and hopped on a plane at 9am local time. I am so thankful and relieved that this has all come to an end. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers, surely they were heard as this is no less than a miracle.
I hope you all have Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Look forward to hearing from you in the days to come!
Blake
Friday, December 24, 2004
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY
The day in court today was just as we prayed it would be.....I received a 2 year suspended sentence with the decision was returned around 1230pm, my passport was returned, and my immigration block was lifted was so I depart the country. And I was able to change my flight home to 23 Dec at no extra charge. So I thank God for answering all our prayers and them some, and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers the past month or so. I look forward to seeing and talking to you all in the coming days and on into the New Year.
Thanks, and God bless
blake
The day in court today was just as we prayed it would be.....I received a 2 year suspended sentence with the decision was returned around 1230pm, my passport was returned, and my immigration block was lifted was so I depart the country. And I was able to change my flight home to 23 Dec at no extra charge. So I thank God for answering all our prayers and them some, and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers the past month or so. I look forward to seeing and talking to you all in the coming days and on into the New Year.
Thanks, and God bless
blake
Thursday, December 16, 2004
THE COURT DATE AWAITS
Alrite my friends......The waiting game, for now at least, is nearly over. The documents are in, the translations finished, the plan of attack is determined, and let contingency plans are set.......On Monday, the 20th, I go to court at 9am. This court appearance is not really a trial, but rather it is intended as a time for the judge to ensure both sides are ready to proceed, and to confirm that the defendent (me) still maintains a Not Guilty plea. My plan right now is to change my plea to guilty for a number of reasons: 1) It feels like the morally right thing to do given that I did take the bike; 2) my lawyer feels my chances of a suspended sentence are greater than my chances of a not guilty verdict; 3) if i plea not guilty, I could end up waiting until 2006 for a trial, and be stuck in thailand until then; 4) My strongest defense lies in my background, settlement with victim, and reference letters, not in fighting my guilt. So, assuming I plead guilty, the judge would then take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 week to decide my sentence. My hope is to get my sentence suspended, in which case I could leave Thailand within a few days or weeks (depending on return of passport, clearing immigration, etc). If the sentence is not suspended, I could request bail while awaiting an appeal. If I don't request bail, or it is denied, I'll be going straight to jail. Regardless, if I do get sentenced, I will appeal. The appeal would be decided upon in around 3-12 months (nice, right?) and then whatever decision made there would be final. The downside to being out on bail during the appeal process is that any sentence remaining after the appeal would start upon receiving the appeal decision, while if I am not on bail all the time in jail counts towards it. So obviously there are a lot of unknowns and variables in the equation, but we've talked through everything and weighed the options, and prepared our best case, and now hope and pray for the best result.
My parents came out here last weekend, and are staying through 22 Dec. While I didn't ask them to come, I extremely thankful to them for being here. It could even help my case, as parents have high status here, especially in a matter of this nature. Although just having the company and not being alone is comforting enough.
I certainly appreciate your prayers during the next few days.....for me, my lawyer, and for the judge to be a merciful person. Whatever comes of this all, I'm certain someday I'll be able to look back on it and know that good came of it.
All the best to you, and i certainly hope and pray this isn't the last you hear of me for a year or so! If everything comes out roses, its still possible I make it back to the states for at least part of the holidays. In any event, I'll post to the blog the outcome of this all, and email you again if I am free and clear. Thanks also for the kind words of support during the last two months, they were and are much appreciated.
Have a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.....and I still hope to be able to tell you in person!
Blake
Alrite my friends......The waiting game, for now at least, is nearly over. The documents are in, the translations finished, the plan of attack is determined, and let contingency plans are set.......On Monday, the 20th, I go to court at 9am. This court appearance is not really a trial, but rather it is intended as a time for the judge to ensure both sides are ready to proceed, and to confirm that the defendent (me) still maintains a Not Guilty plea. My plan right now is to change my plea to guilty for a number of reasons: 1) It feels like the morally right thing to do given that I did take the bike; 2) my lawyer feels my chances of a suspended sentence are greater than my chances of a not guilty verdict; 3) if i plea not guilty, I could end up waiting until 2006 for a trial, and be stuck in thailand until then; 4) My strongest defense lies in my background, settlement with victim, and reference letters, not in fighting my guilt. So, assuming I plead guilty, the judge would then take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 week to decide my sentence. My hope is to get my sentence suspended, in which case I could leave Thailand within a few days or weeks (depending on return of passport, clearing immigration, etc). If the sentence is not suspended, I could request bail while awaiting an appeal. If I don't request bail, or it is denied, I'll be going straight to jail. Regardless, if I do get sentenced, I will appeal. The appeal would be decided upon in around 3-12 months (nice, right?) and then whatever decision made there would be final. The downside to being out on bail during the appeal process is that any sentence remaining after the appeal would start upon receiving the appeal decision, while if I am not on bail all the time in jail counts towards it. So obviously there are a lot of unknowns and variables in the equation, but we've talked through everything and weighed the options, and prepared our best case, and now hope and pray for the best result.
My parents came out here last weekend, and are staying through 22 Dec. While I didn't ask them to come, I extremely thankful to them for being here. It could even help my case, as parents have high status here, especially in a matter of this nature. Although just having the company and not being alone is comforting enough.
I certainly appreciate your prayers during the next few days.....for me, my lawyer, and for the judge to be a merciful person. Whatever comes of this all, I'm certain someday I'll be able to look back on it and know that good came of it.
All the best to you, and i certainly hope and pray this isn't the last you hear of me for a year or so! If everything comes out roses, its still possible I make it back to the states for at least part of the holidays. In any event, I'll post to the blog the outcome of this all, and email you again if I am free and clear. Thanks also for the kind words of support during the last two months, they were and are much appreciated.
Have a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.....and I still hope to be able to tell you in person!
Blake
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