Persistance continues wit expedition to Holloway

The Persistance searching the seabed for the remains of Natalee Holloway.

Amigoe.com
12/24/2007

ORANJESTAD – The decision of the Public Prosecutor to dismiss the Holloway-case has no effect on the investigation of the special ship Persistance, emphasized the crew that started to scan the seabed around Aruba on Tuesday. With the best equipment in the world, they are trying to find Holloway. Dave Holloway, Natalee’s father announced the arrival of the ship one month ago. However, the ship’s arrival was delayed by the tropical storm Olga.

The ship has modern sonological-equipment that can scan up to 4000 meters deep.

The ship can scan very deep seabeds. The ship will first determine the topographical situation of the sea around Aruba till the sea border with Venezuela. The speed of the sound under water is measured with a sound velocity profile (SVP). This is needed for the calculation of data during the scan. Strange abnormal forms on the seabed can be captured with that.

Maritime geologist Kyle Kingman, who maintains a blog about the expedition on www.nholloway.blogspot.com compares the seabed with an ‘old living creature from the end of the cretaceous period, full of stories’. “We know that this creature is making sure that he does not abandon his secrets”, writes Kingman. He expects though that when the side scan sonar is activated, the contents of each split is going to be revealed and can be seen on a monitor in the computer room. He says though that it remains difficult, like a shopping cart in an area as big as Manhattan.

The search is of course going to cost a lot. There are 18 people working with the most modern and expensive instruments on board of the ship. Project manager Tim Miller doesn’t want to confirm that millions of dollars in donations are paying for this search. “We don’t want media-attention; we only want to do our job.” He only wanted to talk to Diario. Also the office of the organization Texas Equusearch (TES), of which Miller is the founder, doesn’t want to say anything. This abundantly sponsored American organization is specialized in search actions for mainly missing fellow country persons. TES has already searched for Natalee two years ago, but only to a depth of 100 meters at that time.

The organization receives a lot of monetary- as well as emotional support on the weblog. This support is mainly from people that give the Lord’s blessing and that ask everybody to pray for the crew on the ship and the Holloway family. Criticism is not really tolerated on the website. These are not even added to the log. An anonymous informant is wondering whether the authorities are on board of the ship for if they find evidence. The lawyers of the former suspects are afraid that evidence can be planted by the crew. “They may just drop or add a purse for example.”

The OM does not cooperate with the search action, but wants to be kept informed of whatever is discovered that can be of interest. It is not known whether the crew has applied for a work permit for the search with the government.

OM’s explanation of evidence do not tally

Amigoe.com
12/22/2007

In a press conference, lawyers Hose Figaroa, Ronald Wix, and Elgin Zeppenfeldt explained the media that according to them, none of justice’s evidence tally.

ORANJESTAD – The lawyers of the three former suspects, Hose Figaroa, Ronald Wix, Elgin Zeppenfeldt, and David Kock said in a press conference, that the ‘new’ evidence that the Public Prosecutor (OM) provided after the dismissal do not tally. Their office has been swamped lately with hatred mails and threats, including death.

A girl from Surinam told the Dutch detectives in June of this year that right after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in 2005, she had a conversation with Satish. “That can never be convincing after two years, is the opinion of Wix. “”She might have said that something was wrong, but for as far as I am aware of, she only said that Satish was sad.” Wix also has problems with the other testimony taken out of an old chat-session of Deepak’s computer. “That chat session was about two subjects: the disappearance of Natalee and the death of a tennis instructor that drowned near Conchi. The word ‘su’ that can mean ‘his’ or ‘her’ in Papiamento, was interpreted wrong in the transcript. Instead of ‘su morto’, his death, it became her death. Also the court realized the misinterpretation; Deepak would have otherwise been behind bars. Nobody has ever said that Natalee is dead, but the OM assumes that with this testimony.”

The lawyers consider the fact that Justice hinted that the former suspects of manslaughter on Natalee Holloway haven’t seen the last of them, even worse. The OM said in a press conference this week that the case has only entered a new phase, and is not closed. As soon as there are more clues, these will be investigated, and the former suspects, including Joran van der Sloot, will be arrested again. Wix says that what the OM said is indeed possible, but the evidence must be ‘very weighty and new’. “The OM keeps the delusion that the three are still suspects. Legally, they must be left alone, and due to the dismissal, Aruba has nothing to say about their innocence. Let them find the girl first and only then can they annoy our clients. They cannot even proof that there was a crime.”

Justice’s other reason for arresting the three former suspects was based on their declarations to the media that they would tell what exactly has happened in the night Holloway disappeared. They didn’t say anything though. According to Wix, everything has already been said. “They said that they won’t talk, but in the meantime they have already given at least 20 declarations. They were arrested because there was new evidence, but then it turned out that there was no new evidence, so they had nothing to say.”

Wix, together with his brother councils, will probably demand damages. They are currently considering via the court whether they can recover the costs for among others hiring a lawyer in the US. Wix won’t say what the amount is.

The firm David Kock & Wix was swamped with threats during the ‘reopening’ of the Holloway-case. They received many hatred mails and also death threats. “I received two more of such e-mails on Thursday. One of them wishes the death for me and my family. The other one said, ‘you must wish that I do not come to Aruba. Maybe, I ought to report that”, said Wix.

Public Ministry gave erroneous information
According to attorney Wix
Deepak, Satish and Joran can no longer be investigated
Diario Aruba
12/22/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Friday morning, at the offices of attorneys Ronny Wix, David Kock and Elgin Zeppenveld, a press conference was held in which the attorneys for Satish and Deepak Kalpoe reacted to what was brought forward during the last press conference by the Public Ministry related to the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

Atorney Wix brought up that there are various matters that were raised by the Public Ministry that are not totally correct. The lawyers continued saying that the Public Ministry, in an unusual manner, went into the details of the case on Thursday, when they mentioned among other things two facts that they considered to be new evidence in this case, which led them to the detention of the 3 suspects.

Wix said that according to the O.M., Deepak Kalpoe said that Natalee Holloway was dead, but at no time did Deepak say this. According to the lawyer, in the same period of time there was a conversation between Deepak and a friend of his in which they spoke of the Natalee case, but they also spoke about a tennis instructor that Deepak knows who died in Conchi.

In this conversation, Deepak spoke of the death of this person and not of Natalee. The conversation was in Papiamento and in the translation into Dutch, for “su morto” [his/her death], they put “haar dood” [her death], while clearly Deepak was speaking of the death of the male tennis instructor.

The Hof also realized that the O.M. took this out of context. Another of the two parts of the supposed new evidence was a conversation between Satish and a female friend of his from Suriname, where the O.M. said that the girl stated that during the conversation Satish sounded sad.

According to Wix, between the 5th of May and 6th of June 2005, which is two and a half years ago, there were 24 conversations between this girl and Satish, which were long.

This makes it difficult to remember which day this supposed conversation took place. This conversation could have also taken place before Natalee disappeared.

They interviewed the girl in June 2007 and this surely makes it difficult to remember exactly what day this conversation took place.

How could it be that if the O.M. says that the conversation was exactly on May 30? According to Wix, last month the prosecutor said that they had new evidence and that they would arrest and now he says that he doesn’t have enough evidence and that they will no longer consider them suspects.

This means that the O.M. lied a month ago or is lying now. The lawyer also said that it is not completely true what prosecutor Mos said Thursday, since at the same time that the case ends, the 3 former suspects remain suspects.

According to Wix, nothing is further from the truth. Now that the 3 boys are no longer suspects, the Public Ministry is no longer free to question the innocence of these persons.

This means that authorities cannot conduct an investigation on them. The lawyer also said that what he is unhappy with is that the chief prosecutor Mos and P.G. Jorg basically said that they will stop the case, among other things because the boys made use of their right to remain silent and that because of this the O.M. could not solve the case.

This implies that the kids know something and are not talking. This, according to Wix, is because his clients have given more than 20 statements; therefore the O.M. cannot say that they have not talked.

They have said everything that they had to say. During the last detention the former suspects told authorities that they have said everything they know and that if there was something new, they were willing to give a comment on this. Given that there wasn’t anything new, they didn’t say anything.

[translated by Getagrip]

OM gives up core evidence Holloway-case

Chief district attorney Hans Mos explains why the case against the three suspects in the Natalee Holloway-case was dropped.

Amigoe.com
12/22/2007

ORANJESTAD – A chat-session, computer disks, and two new testimonies were among others, the reason for the OM to detain Joran van der Sloot and the brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe in November, indicated chief district attorney Hans Mos yesterday in a press conference, where he explained the case that has been dropped.

With the newest digital technologies from the Netherlands, the investigation team this time recovered what was impossible earlier. On the hard drive of a confiscated computer was a chat-session, in which one of the suspects said that the missing teenager Natalee Holloway is dead. The OM didn’t say which of the suspects said that, but the information is substantial and especially ‘new’ evidence, and sufficient for the OM to arrest the three. Obtaining information from new technology is also considered new evidence, explained Mos. He compared it with a DNA-investigation that after years, can still give evidence.

The new investigation team with Dutch detectives could also use technologies to make a timeline of all the declarations. It appears that the last version of the three suspects on the day that Natalee disappeared is also not correct. Other new, indirect evidence are two testimonies. A woman told the team in June of 2005 that five hours after Natalee was seen alive for the last time, she received a telephone call from one of the three former suspects. From his voice she noticed that something was wrong. When she asked him what was wrong, he said that he doesn’t want to compromise her. “I cannot tell you what has happened over the phone”, was his answer.

In a declaration in November of 2006, a witness described the deviant behavior of one of the three one day after the disappearance of Holloway. That was also indirect evidence. The new evidence was for the judge too indirect and not enough to keep the three in custody. But Justice was confident that the three would start talking.

“Information they gave the media gives the impression that they had more things to say than they had told us until now”, said Mos, who said that the conversations the three former suspects had with Dutch journalists were also filed as evidence in the dossier.

With all this evidence that the OM obtained after the three were released at the end of summer in 2005, the judge give them permission to arrest the three. The OM was also in a hurry, due to the European treaty on the suspects’ rights to be tried within a reasonable period of time. The OM has set a deadline for December 31. Mos says that Van der Sloot and Deepak and Satish Kalpoe are still the three most important persons in the investigation, and possible new evidence will be investigated till the term of investigation is over. The police corps in Aruba keeps therefore four detectives available for new information and implication. Term of limitation for culpable homicide is six years and manslaughter is 12 years.

The case will be reopened if necessary. According to Aruban law, it is possible to close the criminal case without bringing it before the court. A definite acquittal can be avoided with this. The former suspects are also protected against ‘repeated troubling for the same facts based on the same evidence’. But the protection is less powerful than acquittal. After an acquittal by a judge in last instance, it won’t be possible to bring the same facts before the court again.

Public Ministry reveals what the new evidence was in the Holloway case
Diario Aruba
12/21/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Midday Thursday, the Public Ministry held a press conference related to their decision to declare that Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers are no longer suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

Chief prosecutor Hans Mos started by saying that the Public Ministry no longer holds the trio as suspects.

He said that this decision was not taken lightly, and that the Public Ministry evaluated every aspect along with jurists are their disposal and jointly the conclusion was reached that finally the investigation did not produce enough legal evidence to be able to bring the case successfully before a judge.

Mos continued to say that if the case had been brought forth, he is sure that the suspects would have been acquitted of all accusations. Given that the Public Ministry arrived at this conclusion, it was against the O.M.’s professional code to bring this case to court.

After explaining how the investigation proceeded, among other things under the guidance of a new team, prosecutor Mos continued to say that they made use of all available tools to be able to bring the suspects in front of a judge, but unsuccessfully.

He said that given that the new evidence was brought up and that he truly felt that the Public Ministry could have achieved something with this, he preferred to make an attempt to be able to find more material to bring the case forward, rather than not try.

As to the new evidence, Mos explained that when the Public Ministry spoke of the new evidence, it referred to all evidence that had been found after the three suspects were set free after July 2005.

Given that the evidence was found after that they were released, they could consider it as new evidence, for which once again the suspects could be re-detained and the judge was in agreement that there was sufficient reason to do this.

Mos brought up that an important clue that the O.M. found was a female witness who came forward in June 2007. This witness told the O.M. about a telephone conversation that she had with one of the suspects, exactly 5 hours and 13 minutes after Natalee Holloway was last seen alive for the last time, according to the O.M.

The witness said that during the conversation, she could hear that something wasn’t right with the person. She asked the boy what happened and as an answer he told the girl that he didn’t want to get her in trouble and that what happened could not be told over the phone.

Aside from this, there was a declaration from a witness relating to the bahaviour of one of the other suspects on the day of the disappearance of Natalee. Furthermore, a digital search was conducted on the hard drives of the 3 suspects’ computers and on the computers of others as well.

These hard drives contained chat conversations among the suspects and among the suspects and others which demonstrated that they knew more about this case as well. These conversations contained important information.

One of these chats referred to the fact that Natalee was dead. This search was better able to determine a so-called ‘time line’ in regards to the disappearance of Natalee. The technicians in the digital search are technicians who did not have access to these earlier in the investigation.

The reconstructed time line, combined with facts found earlier and the information given by the suspects in their declarations, made the O.M. conclude that the last version given by the suspects could not fit with the truth.

Because of this there were big questions about the 3 suspects’ alibis. Another new evidence was a recording made in the Kalpoe brothers’ home.

Prosecutor Mos brought up that additionally, with the different interviews that Joran and his father gave to different Dutch media, it gave the impression that they had more information than they had given.

The problem was that there was little direct evidence to be able to bring the case in front of a judge. The fact that the three suspects made use of their right to remain silent also made it very difficult to make the case.

The Public Ministry had to take a decision to declare the kids no longer suspects in this case because according to the law, this has to be done within a reasonable period of time, in order for the O.M. not to lose its right to prosecute this case.

Now that the decision has been taken, it does not mean that the investigation into this case will not continue, rather that a different phase begins.

All new evidence that surfaces will be added to the evidence they already have, to see if they could still make a criminal case. If there’s enough evidence, they can still begin a criminal case against the 3 suspects.

However, one has to take into account the term [statute of limitations] that the law has for this. According to Mos, the law sets a term of 6 years for voluntary manslaughter, while for murder, the term by which the case against the suspects must be made is 12 years.

If after 12 years any important evidence is found, the suspects could no longer be criminally prosecuted.

Mos explained that there are some special agents available to continue the investigation and this is important, because there are various people who have come forward who have said that they have certain information that could help in the investigation.

Because of this, the chief prosecutor made an appeal for any persons who have information, to come forward with it.

[translated by Getagrip]

Official press release by the Public Ministry indicates
Authorities don't have proof that Natalee died
Documents do not contain proof of what happened
Diario Aruba
12/19/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Via a bulletin issued midday Tuesday, the Public Ministry of Aruba informed the three suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway – Deepak Kalpoe, 24, his brother Satish Kalpoe, 21 and Joran v.d. Sloot, 20 – that they will not be criminally prosecuted. At the same time, the Public Ministry informed the American lawyer of Natalee Holloway’s parents of the decision.

On the basis of an additional long and extensive investigation, conducted by a team of Dutch and Aruban investigators, the three suspects were re-detained at the end of November. Their detentions were based on new and serious evidence that was gathered in the last 8 months.

Although the judge shared the opinion of the Public Ministry that there was sufficient new investigative material to justify their re-detention, these detentions did not bring about a definite break in the investigation. All suspects chose to use their right to not give any statement.

Finally, in an appeal by the Public Ministry against the release of the Kalpoe brothers, the Common Court of Justice was of the opinion that the investigation did not show sufficient evidence to conclude that Natalee Holloway died as a consequence of a violent act. It was exactly this suspicion of which the Public Ministry accused the suspects.

After the three suspects were already released, the Public Ministry carefully reconsidered and evaluated all the evidence. They arrived at the conclusion that the file contained insufficient evidence to prove, in front of the Court of Justice, that a violent act was committed against Natalee Holloway or that her death was caused by an involuntary act by any of the suspects. There was also insufficient proof as to what concerns a sexual crime (zedendelict).

The Public Ministry is convinced that if they proceeded with a criminal prosecution of the suspects for the mentioned acts, this would have resulted with a vrijspraak (acquittal). Given this line of thought, the Public Ministry could not decide to criminally prosecute.

Although the Public Ministry has and is looking at the possibilities to prove that Natalee Holloway has died, the fact that her body was never found presents an important limitation in the possible reconstruction of the facts. The current criminal file, also for this reason, does not give sufficient answers as to the question of what punishable acts took place on the night of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, and it doesn’t have answers as to the question of what exactly were the roles of the suspects.

The Public Ministry and the investigative team are convinced that after the investigation that has been conducted since April of this year, they have sufficiently determined that all other scenarios that have been considered in the last 2½ years and in which the three suspects are not included are improbable or, with the current investigation results, excluded.

With the press release of no more criminal prosecution, the Public Ministry dismisses the cases against the three suspects with regards to the facts related with the preliminary judicial investigation and their detentions. This does not mean that if they are able to find solid evidence in this case, that the criminal prosecution is no longer possible. Criminal prosecution is possible until the punishable acts that have been mentioned become too old. For voluntary manslaughter (homicidio culposo - dood door schuld), the term is 6 years from the date of the punishable offense. For homicide (homicidio - doodslag), the term is 12 years.

The Public Ministry is aware that after losing their child and not being able to find her, the results of this investigation has been difficult for the parents of Natalee Holloway. It is for this important reason, amongst others, the Public Ministry and Police made all efforts in the investigation, which was exceptionally long and intensive, to resolve the disappearance of the youngster and went to the depths of the arsenal of criminal instruments [available to them].

Despite the fact that this work did not bring a solution to this case, the Public Ministry and Police are of the opinion that they did all that was in their power to be able to bring clarity to the case, which was the right decision to take.

The Public Ministry will give more explanations regarding this decision and will give the opportunity to ask questions during a press conference Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 12:00 in the press hall of the Government Building in Oranjestad. Until that moment, it will not answer questions.

[translated by Getagrip]

Press release by the Aruban Public Prosecutor’s Office

Natalee Holloway Case Dismissed

Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007 - 11:33 AM

Source: NBC 13 Staff

From a press release by the Aruban Public Prosecutor’s Office:

The office notified the three suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, 24 year old D.S.K., his brother, 21 year old S.S.K., and 20 year old J.v.d. S., that no charges will be brought against them.
At the same time the American lawyer of the parents of Natalee Holloway was informed by telephone and fax about this decision.

Based on a lengthy and extensive supplementary investigation, executed by a mixed team of Dutch and Aruban detectives, the three suspects were re-arrested by the end of November. These arrests were based on new evidence that was gathered during the investigation of the past eight months. Although a judge shared the Public Prosecutor’s decision that sufficient new evidence was produced to justify the re-arrest of the suspects and keep them in custody. The period of custody did not bring the final breakthrough in this investigation. All three suspects claimed their right not to give any statement at all. Finally, in an appeal of the Public Prosecutor against the early release of the two brothers K., the Court of Appeal ruled that the investigation did not show sufficient evidence to conclude that Natalee Holloway had died due to a violent crime. It were exactly these kinds of crimes the Public Prosecutor held against the three suspects.

Since the release of all three suspects the Public Prosecutor’s Office has diligently considered and weighed all available evidence. It came to the opinion that the investigation did not bring about sufficient evidence to convince a Court of law that a crime of violence against Natalee Holloway has been committed, nor that her death has been caused by involuntary actions by either of the suspects. Neither was sufficient evidence gathered for sexual abuse. The Public Prosecutor’s Office expects that if this case would be tried in court it would lead to an acquittal of all three suspects on these various charges. Given that expectation the Public Prosecutor could no longer press charges against all three. It is contrary to the professional conduct to prosecute someone if the prosecutor himself expects an acquittal.

Although the Public Prosecutor’s Office did see and still sees possibilities to prove that Natalee Holloway is no longer alive, the fact that her body never was found forms an important deficit in a possible reconstruction of the facts. Mainly because of that reason the current police report can not answer the question which crime was committed in the night of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway nor shed light on the exact role of the three suspects in the events.

Yet the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the team of investigators are convinced that after this year’s investigation from April until December, it has become clear that any scenario beyond the one that implicates these three suspects has either been falsified or is proven to be highly unlikely.

By notifying the three suspects that they will not be charged with the crimes that were under investigation by the judge of instruction or for which they have been kept in custody or, two years ago, in pre-trial detention, these crimes now have been dismissed. This does not imply that, if new serious evidence were to be found, this case could never be tried in court again. This is still possible within the statute of limitation. In case of involuntary manslaughter this period is 6 years counting from the day following the crime that was committed. In case of homicide this period ends after 12 years.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office is more than aware of the fact that this result of the investigation is a tough burden to bear for the parents of Natalee Holloway. After losing their daughter they have not been able to bring her back. Because of that important reason, amongst others, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Police have gone the extra mile and have exhausted all their powers and techniques, in order to solve the mystery of the disappearance of the girl. It took a lengthy and very intensive investigation where even help from abroad was asked for and received. Despite the fact that with all this we have not been able to solve the case, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Police share the opinion that by making the choice to try to do everything that is within their possibilities to bring the case to a solution, they made the right decision.

Suspects Holloway not prosecuted

One of the last pictures of Natalee Holloway and the three other ‘central figures’ Satish and Deepak Kalpoe and Joran van der Sloot taken in Aruba.

Amigoe.com
12/18/2007

ORANJESTAD – The Public Prosecutor (OM) decided not to prosecute the three suspects in the Holloway-case. The dossier does not have enough evidence for a violent crime or culpable homicide. Also the burden of proof for possible legal evidence is not sufficient, concluded the OM.

The OM informed the suspects Joran van der Sloot (20) and the brothers Deepak (24) and Satish Kalpoe (21) this morning that they are no longer being prosecuted. Also the American lawyer of the parents of Natalee Holloway was informed. The fact that the body of the missing teenager was never found is for the OM ‘an important shortage’ in the possible reconstruction of what had exactly happened. “Because of that, the current dossier cannot give sufficient answer on the question which punishable facts took place in the night of Holloway’s disappearance, nor can it answer the question what the exact role of the suspects was in this”, said the OM.

That the suspects continued to be silent during the recent interrogations was also a disappointment for the OM, because they have assumed that the suspects would start talking this time. The OM emphasizes though that if they find new important evidence, the prosecution will start again till the offences become barred, which is 6 years for culpable homicide and 12 years for manslaughter.

The bailiff of the OM informed Lawyer Ariean de Bie of this between 11:00 and 12:00 this morning. “That definitely concludes the case", said De Bie. “All's well that ends well. There was just not enough evidence.”

Yet, it could have just turned the other way. “The OM was constantly talking about less serious facts, for which they could have been prosecuted. But that didn’t happen. They never had any evidence, just indications. And could their indications have legalized this exercise? I wonder why they kept saying: we have evidence, we have evidence.”

OM has not warned me on time

Same as last time, a huge amount of media came to Aruba this time to cover the detention of the three suspects.

Amigoe.com
12/14/2007

ORANJESTAD – Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) says that he should have been informed earlier of the detention of the three suspects in the Holloway-case. “Now that everything is back on the table, the reputation of Aruba is harmed again internationally.”

The case could have been dealt with more carefully if he was informed on time, suggested the minister. “Was it well-considered to make the arrests? If there were plenty of evident, they would not have been released.” He considers the contact between him and the Public Prosecutor (OM) about the recent developments in the Holloway-case an abnormal working situation. “As a matter of fact, I am ultimately responsible for this matter; the OM falls under my policy. Doesn’t that mean that I should have been informed in advance? There is no need for me to do anything any longer and we must save what can be saved. Let’s drop the case as soon as possible.”

According to chief district attorney Hans Mos, the justice-minister, who as opposed to Parliament is politically responsible for the actions of the OM, was one of the first persons that were informed after the arrests. “He was immediately informed together with the prime minister. Our scheme clearly mentions that.” He says that it is however unusual to inform the minister in advance of an arrest. “That only happened in very special cases that affect the public order and safety of a country, like with terrorist crimes. In individual criminal cases like this one, the OM makes decisions and the minister must not work against it. Some people are more worried about the reputation of the country than they are about solving criminal cases. These seem to be subordinated to economic interests; you can then do away with the police and justice.” Mos emphasized that the government and the justice-minister could have always contacted him about the case. “But the minister has not once asked for an explanation on the arrests. I would have done this with pleasure.”

Besides, the OM doesn’t want to continue dragging the case and has decided to set the deadline on December 31 of this year. The prosecution is currently thinking over continuing or dismissing the case. That all three suspects appealed to their right to remain silent after their arrest was an obstacle for justice. That was also the reason why the judge has decided to release them from custody, because it didn’t serve any purpose.

RESEARCH SHIP DELAYED DUE TO OLGA

The unusual December storm in the Caribbean, Olga, has delayed the arrival of the research ship that Dave Holloway wants to bring to Aruba to search the seabed for the body of his daughter. The management of Texas Equusearch ‘Mounted Search and Recovery Team’ cannot say when the search can start. “Keep praying”, said the relief organization on the website. The tropical storm Olga has already caused the death of 8 persons in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Political Analysis
More harm again
DIARIO Aruba
12/08/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Tourism is the most important lifeblood of our economy and it is incredible that neither our governors nor our private sector have reacted as they must. Our Public Ministry has become a total farce and a laughing stock nationally and internationally.

However, the latest actions of the Public Ministry has done immense harm to the economy of Aruba. All of the American press and a few from other countries are in Aruba again and nothing can be done to turn a negative development into a positive one. On the contrary, advertisements say that still Aruba is not feeling the negative effects of the latest blunder of the Public Ministry, supported by a Minister of Justice who still doesn’t know where his face is.

The truth is that by the extraordinary efforts from the hotels themselves, tourism stopped going down compared to the recent past. But now that the verdicts of the judge-commissioner saying that the Public Ministry did not have any footing for the recent detention of the three young men, the negative effects will hit Aruba’s economy hard again. It is more than clear that the government does not have any plan to try to minimize these negative effects.

Again, our governors are with their arms crossed from the recent events without having any idea of what to do about it. Apparently the private sector doesn’t seem to be prepared either to do the maximum so that the actions of the government (Public Ministry) of Aruba in this case do not cause great harm again. Once again, we have to emphasize that it is impossible to understand how the government is not using the situation when so many foreign reporters are in Aruba to invite them to give the positive side of Aruba instead of letting them on their own and decide what they will write and talk about Aruba.

Aruba’s name is under great pressure again because of the impotence of our presiding minister who is traveling to India with people not being able to understand what he could be doing there that is more important than the name of our island.

His travels would be understandable if he left behind a team of capable and well-prepared people to deal with the difficult situation we have here. But this is not the case. There is no team which is in charge to tend to the bad propaganda that we will have in these days. This illustrates the mentality if the MEP government in what regards the future of our country.

The interest of the ministers is only to only look after their own interests and those of their family and friends. In all senses, we are confronted with the phenomenon of a total lack of interest in the important issues for the development of our economy on behalf of the current government. It can’t be this way that under these circumstances the presiding minister is on a snoepreisje [?] and given what’s happening he doesn’t show any interest in what he has to do as presiding minister.

Our minister of tourism hasn’t come out with something to avoid harm to our country either. On various occasions we brought forth that the minister of tourism cannot help because of tourism, he knows nothing. What he must be in charge of is a lack of general management based on the expertise of professionals.

And while it is known that tourism is not his specialty and given how much expertise there must be to look after tourism in a professional manner, he has to look for people who know of this matter. He hasn’t done this. Now we are looking at the consequences of the lack of good management. The negative effects of the bad management will be felt by our people who have already had great difficulty living under the pressure of the unjust measures that our government has taken.

This is the mentality of the government that the ministers don’t look at the problem because when things are going badly and they don’t have enough money for the government, they have no problems in taking measures to make the people pay for the bad management.

In these past days we are observing how tourism is doing but also we are observing again all sectors in our community are living in silence in fear that the government will get angry at them. Bad government from the people who can only look after themselves and do not take the interests of our people to heart.

[translated by Getagrip]

According to Chief Prosecutor Mos
Regrettably the suspects kept their mouths shut for 2 weeks despite the fact that some of them had promised they would talk
DIARIO Aruba
12/08/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): After the decision came down on Friday that one of the 3 suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Joran van der Sloot, went free, the press interviewed Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos and asked him about his thoughts now that all 3 suspects have regained their freedom.

Prosecutor Mos said that the Public Ministry expected this. He said that after the Hof took the decision to let the Kalpoe brothers go, he felt that J.S. would also be set free. The press asked mr. Mos if the O.M. will appeal and he said no.

He explained that the Hof was very clear in its last verdicts in regards to the detention of the Kalpoes and van der Sloot. Another appeal would not accomplish anything. The press asked the prosecutor if the renewed detention of the 3 suspects was a last attempt to be able to abide by the deadline at the end of December to be able to bring a case against them.

According to Mos, it was the Public Ministry which set itself the December 31 deadline, because the suspects also have to know where they stand.

The detentions came down again, because they noted that the suspects were free and there was much investigative material that they had not confronted with. If they would have been invited, perhaps they would not have come to give a statement [voluntarily].

The Public Ministry found that the evidence material was so important that they had to confront them with this. What was salient, according to Mos, was that the 3 suspects kept their mouths shut during 2 weeks, despite the fact that some of them had said that they would relate exactly what happened.

Given that they didn’t talk, the judge got to the point where he had doubts that their detention was still relevant. Mos is 'fastioso' [annoyed?] on behalf of Natalee’s parents because they want to know what happened to their daughter and is also 'fastioso' [annoyed?] on behalf of the Public Ministry who wants to solve the case.

But the suspects made use of their right to remain silent. Mos continued to say that the Hof’s decisions are important for this case, because now they will evaluate what they will do, whether it be to prosecute the suspects or stop the case against them.

The press indicated that there is a big chance that the case will be stopped and Mos said that this is true, because they cannot prosecute people if there is not enough basis to do so. He said, however, that he will evaluate if there are other accusations upon which the suspects can be brought forth in a case.

[translated by Getagrip]

Joran goes free at noontime yesterday
DIARIO Aruba
12/08/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN)--- The Aruban press was again discriminated against at KIA yesterday when they went to cover the exit of Joran v.d. Sloot from KIA.

They were present at KIA from 1 o’clock but Tele Aruba was inside already and they also permitted American journalists to go inside KIA, while they prohibited the Aruban journalists from entering and doing their jobs.

It could also be observed that at Joran’s exit that he lowered the car window every time there was an American journalist, but when passing by Aruban journalists, the window was closed to prevent us from taking his picture.

The photos here were taken from far showing the American journalists at the entrance of the KIA building and at the moment when Joran came out, taken with a long lens from more or less 100 meters away.

[translated by Getagrip]

Decision about prolongation of Joran va der Sloot’s detention may come down today
DIARIO Aruba
12/07/07

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Thursday, there were many false rumours going around that Joran van der Sloot, suspect in the case of the disappearance and death of Natalee Holloway, had been set free.

This, however, wasn’t true. Thursday, the prolongation of his detention was heard, and his lawyer and the judge responsible for this presented themselves at KIA.

All of the Public Ministry’s points against Joran were brought forth once again and if everything goes well, today the decision will come down as to whether Joran will remain in KIA or if he can go back home.

Prosecutor Kruimel also tells DIARIO that she was surprised that the false news came out that Joran had already been set free. DIARIO will continue to follow this case closely as always and bring forth any new development.

[translated by Getagrip]

After judge’s sentence, Public Ministry admits
Authorities cannot prove violent death of Holloway
Investigation of the case will continue
DIARIO Aruba
12/06/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN) — After the judge dictated his sentence in the Holloway case yesterday, we received a press release from the Public Ministry. The release said the following: “Today, the Common Court of Justice rejected the Public Ministry’s appeal in the case against the suspects S.K. and D.K. Monday, December 3, 2007 the Public Ministry appealed the judge-commissioner’s decision of November 30, 2007 to reject the request to prolong their detention (bewaring).

The hearing of the appeal case took place yesterday, Tuesday, December 4, behind closed doors. During the hearing, the suspects D.K. and S.K. were personally present. The hearing of the appeal - minus a short pause – lasted more or less two hours, during which the interim Prosecutor-General was able to explain his reasoning as to why the Public Ministry was not in agreement with the judge-commissioner. Later, the suspects’ lawyers were able to react upon to the Public Ministry’s arguments.

In brief, the Common Court gave the following explanation: Although there has been a long and deep investigation of this case, the file against the Kalpoe brothers doesn’t have direct indications that Natalee Holloway died from an act of violence. If the current phase of the investigation - 2 ½ [years] after her disappearance – is taken into consideration, the Common Court is of the opinion that neither are there sufficient indications or objections to suspect that the brothers were involved in the crimes for which the Public Ministry requests their preventive detention.

It is not possible to appeal the decision of the Common Court. This decision as to the preventive detention doesn’t mean that the investigation cannot continue and/or that it is not possible to prosecute the suspects.

The investigation of this case will continue. In the case against J.v.d.S., Thursday, December 6, 2007, the judge-commissioner will hear the Public Ministry’s request to prolong his detention and also his lawyer’s request to terminate his preventive detention.”

This is how the Public Ministry’s press release read.

[translated by Getagrip]

Kalpoe brothers maintain their freedom
DIARIO Aruba
12/06/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Wednesday afternoon, the decision came down from the court, in what relates to the Public Ministry’s appeal against Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. As it is known, these brothers, who are suspected of having something to do with the death and disappearance of Natalee Holloway, were recently detained one more time, after quite a long time of having been set free.

Recently, the judge decided that there wasn’t enough new proof to prolong the detention of the Kalpoes.

Because of this, it was decided that they be set free and last Saturday, they left the police station to go back home.

The Public Ministry wasn’t in agreement with the judge’s decision and decided to appeal.. After the case took place on Tuesday, the Hof judge sent his decision Tuesday, which stated that the Kalpoes should remain free.

Now, it must be seen if the Public Ministry has enough basis to bring a criminal case by the end of December, which is the date that they set to either bring a criminal case, or to decide that the brothers are not suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

[translated by Getagrip]

During the appeal of the case against the Kalpoes, the removal of their privileges was also dealt with
DIARIO Aruba
12/05/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): The appeal of the case that the Public Ministry undertook against the Curacao judge’s decision to set Deepak and Satish Kalpoe free took place Wednesday morning.

Friday of last week, the judge found that there wasn’t enough new evidence to prolong the detention of the brothers, who are suspected of being involved in the death and disappearance of the young American, Natalee Holloway.

On Saturday afternoon they were set free, but now the Public Ministry indicates that they would appeal the judge’s decision.

Tuesday morning, the case, which was closed to the press, started at around 10:30 in the morning and after a short noontime pause, the case continued for one hour.

During the case, the prosecutor tried to show the judge that they have sufficient reason to put the Kalpoe brothers back in detention. During the treatment of the case, they also dealt with the issue of removal of the suspects’ privileges during their detention, such as the prohibition to read newspapers, watch television or receive visits from family and friends.

Given that the brothers are no longer locked up, this could be considered irrelevant, however the lawyers asked that this be dealt with and the judge agreed, in case the decision of the Hof is to put the suspects back in detention.

In the course of today [Wednesday], the judge will send his decision to the two parties of this case, to the lawyers.

As to Joran van der Sloot, there are big indications that today the judge will also take a decision whether his detention will be prolonged for 60 days or not. This, given that the period of his preventive detention ends Thursday.

[translated by Getagrip]

According to attorney Figaroa
Deepak is happy and more relaxed now that he’s out of detention
DIARIO Aruba
12/04/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Monday, DIARIO interviewed attorney Jose Figaroa, who currently represents Deepak Kalpoe, about his client’s freedom, which he regained Friday, after which he was let go from KIA on Saturday.

According to Figaroa, after he got the good news that his client was going to be set free, he informed him about it.

Saturday at around 4:30 he went along with attorney Zeppenveld to get Satish at San Nicolas, after which they went to his house.

After this, they went to get Deepak at Shaba and brought him home. Deepak is happy and more relaxed now that he is home.

DIARIO asked Figaroa what is the status of his client’s interrogation. He said that from what he understands, they spoke with him a couple of times.

Not every day, but they did speak with him. The attorney explained that the Public Ministry appealed the decision to let Deepak and Satish go, but he still doesn’t know what day this will take place.

Figaroa explained that he maintains that they don’t have anything new to be able to lay blame on what his client is accused of. DIARIO asked if he is also monitoring the situations of the other suspect, namely Joran van der Sloot.

According to the attorney, Joran van der Sloot’s attorney asked for his client to also be set free immediately, after the decision came down as to the Kalpoe brothers.

[translated by Getagrip]

Parents Holloway in conversation with OM Aruba for hours
Amigoe.com
12/04/2007

ORANJESTAD – The parents of the disappeared American Natalee Holloway, Beth Reynolds (Twitty) and Dave Holloway have talked for hours with justice as well as with the police. They won’t comment yet on the contents of the conversations. The brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe were sent home on that same day.

The two fellow-suspects of Joran van der Sloot – all three are still being suspected of voluntary manslaughter on Natalee Holloway – were released one at a time from custody; Satish at 15:30 from the police station in Shaba and Deepak at 16:30 from the one in Noord.

The Public Prosecutor has meanwhile indicated that they will appeal the decision of the examining magistrate, who expressed his objection on extending the brothers’ custody. All three the boys, inclusive Van der Sloot, are still being considered suspects, but the objections are not enough to maintain the custody of the two brothers Kalpoe. Ariean de Bie, Van der Sloot’s lawyer thinks that his client will also be released soon. He doesn’t think that there is more material than the 12.5 pages of evidence that the lawyers received last week. “The incredible self-assurance of the investigators in Aruba about the evidence they have in the Holloway-case, surprises me”, said De Bie after the Kalpoe’s were sent home. It won’t be difficult for the lawyer to defend the case when it comes before the judge. “It will be a great effort though, because the dossier is big.”

De Bie is of the opinion that the OM has still not succeeded in the investigation. Especially the American side is according to him, totally underexposed. “Natalee Holloway has a very active mother and an arms merchant as stepfather that apparently has contacts in the White House. The FBI did some interrogations in the US, but not thoroughly enough. There are many questions to be asked on this.”

Beth Twitty question for several hours on Saturday
Kalpoe brothers set free Saturday afternoon
Public Ministry still has time to appeal
DIARIO Aruba
12/03/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN): DIARIO was present at the San Nicolas and Shaba police stations when the two Kalpoe brothers were set free on Saturday afternoon. A decision that the judge-commissioner stationed in Curacao took after he didn’t see much new in the evidence the Public Ministry used to catch the three suspects again.

This is what the lawyers for the suspects also expressed during the interview they gave to us after they nabbed the three suspects. It seemed rather that the investigative team along with Dutch experts shook up what they already had and in so doing nabbed the three suspects with the approval of the Public Ministry.

Attorney Jose Figaroa went to the Shaba police station to pick up his client while at first it was attorney Elgin Zeppenfeld of the law firm Kock and Wix who went to pick up Deepak [Satish?] Kalpoe at San Nicolas.

At the Kalpoe family home there was a big quantity of media present awaiting their return. Now the attorney for Joran van der Sloot is also waiting on the decision the judge-commissioner will take on the prolongation of his client’s detention.

Meanwhile, Beth Twitty, the mother of Natalee Holloway, arrived in Aruba Saturday and police went to get her at a high rise hotel in Oranjestad and went with her to the police station. There she was questioned for six long hours.

This week will determine what will happen with the detention of Joran van der Sloot and if the Public Ministry will still appeal today the decision of the judge-commissioner that set the first two suspects free.

[translated by Getagrip]

Brothers Kalpoe are outside again
Chief public prosecutor Hans Mos indicated that the OM will appeal the decision of the examining magistrate to release the brothers Kalpoe from custody.
Amigoe.com
12/03/2007


ORANJESTAD – The two fellow suspects of Joran van der Sloot (20), the brothers Deepak (24) and Satish (21) are again released from custody today. The Public Prosecutor (OM) has requested an extension of the custody today, but the examining magistrate ruled against it. The OM has meanwhile announced that she will appeal this decision.

The examining magistrate says that it’s true that the current dossier of the two suspects contains serious ‘objections’ against them, but not enough to keep them longer in custody. Custody based on the current evidence is not allowed. This evidence was the wiping out of traces of a crime scene and the spiriting away of a body, said a spokesperson of the OM. The two brothers remain suspects of voluntary manslaughter or in any case, serious bodily harm that resulted in the death of Natalee Holloway.

Van der Sloot’s mother is according to reports, very happy that the two brothers are outside again, but she doesn’t know what it would mean for her son. Ten persons were arrested since the disappearance of Holloway, but nobody is officially charged yet.

Chief public prosecutor, Hans Mos finds it striking that the custody of the Kalpoe’s is not extended, while it is based on ‘almost’ the same dossier as that of Van der Sloot. “Were his objections serious enough to extend his custody? It looks like he has a different role in the case.”

Joran van der Sloot’s custody was extended with eight days early this week. An extension with 60 days will be considered late next week. The objection that his lawyer Ariean de Bie has lodged against the restrictions imposed on Van der Sloot, is meanwhile dismissed by the Common Court of the Neth.Antilles and Aruba. The restrictions were eased a little though since his arrest. He received a bible and reading matters. The request to receive visitors, like his mother, brother, a ‘different lawyer’ and friends, was dismissed. He cannot have contact with other prisoners, he cannot watch TV, he cannot make telephone calls and write letters, and cannot read current reading material, like newspapers and magazines. He is now allowed to sport under supervision.

BETH

In the meantime, the mother of Natalee Holloway, Beth Reynolds (Twitty) has arrived in Aruba. She and her former husband, Dave Holloway have a meeting with the OM today. Dave Holloway is also waiting for the arrival of a special investigation-boat to scan the seabed around Aruba again for possible traces of his daughter. The boat is expected to arrive at the end of next week and allows him to search to a three-kilometer depth. The former search action only reached a depth of 100 meters.

Common Court rejects appeal of D.K.’s Lawyer in the Holloway case
Maintains majority of restrictions against J.v.d.S.
DIARIO Aruba
12/01/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN)—Yesterday, the Common Court of Justice decided upon two separate appeals that were handed down for the lawyers of suspects D.K. and J.v.d.S. in the Holloway case. D.K. and J.v.d.S. are suspected, along with the third suspect S.K., in the death of Natalee Holloway, or in any case, mistreatment which led to her death.

Yesterday, these appeals were dealt with behind closed doors. In the case against D.K., the judge-commissioner gave an order, upon the request of the Public Ministry, to deny the lawyers of Kock, Wix and Zeppenveldt access to the suspect D.K. for a duration of eight days. Until now, the lawyers of Kock, Wix and Zeppenveldt have represented the K. brothers as a team.

The Public Ministry asked for this order based on the suspicion that D.K. could be obtaining information related to the investigation that they have against him or that the investigation to get to the truth could be impeded.

This suspicion was based on information from police reports that support the theory that some time ago, D.K. spoke to his brother S.K. in relation to their standing in the investigation. On this basis, the Public Ministry observed that the suspects were adjusting their declarations to fit each others’. This, along with the fact that both suspects were represented by the same team of lawyers, made the Public Ministry request the order.

The judge-commissioner went along with the Public Ministry’s [legal] arguments and gave the order that the three lawyers may not visit their client D.K. The lawyers appealed this decision at the Common Court. Currently, they only represent S.K. Upon the request of the aforementioned lawyers, D.K. is being represented by another lawyer since last week.

The Common Court decided today that the order of the judge-commissioner has its place and rejected the lawyer’s appeal. In the meantime, the judge-commissioner extended the term mentioned by 8 more days. In the case against J.v.d.S. it was asked of the Common Court to alleviate the restrictions against him (no contact with people other than his lawyer, no telephone, no letters, no newspapers, no magazines and no television).

They specifically asked for visits (his mother and brother, another lawyer and friends), a bible and other reading materials, and exercise. In the meantime, KIA, upon the request of the Public Ministry, provided a bible and reading material. The Common Court rejected the appeal against the restrictions yesterday, in the interests of the investigation.

[translated by Getagrip]

Request to prolong the detention of the Kalpoe brothers has been denied
DIARIO Aruba
12/01/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN)—Yesterday, the judge-commissioner denied the request to prolong the detention of the Kalpoe brothers.

They are suspected, along with the third suspect Joran v.d. Sloot, in the death of Natalee Holloway, or in any case, of mistreatment which brought about her death. The Public Ministry requested their detention prolonged.

The Judge-commissioner decided that the current criminal file against the suspects, in which new proof had been added recently, has enough substance to have serious objections against them, but only for actions that according to the law does not allow for preventive detention, namely destruction of clues of a crime and or disposal of a body.

The penalty that can be imposed for such crimes is not sufficient to be able to use preventive detention.

The decision of the judge-commissioner can be appealed within 3 days. During the coming days, the Public Ministry will consider this possibility.

[translated by Getagrip]

A badly informed lawyer

[English translation offered by DIARIO]

DIARIO Aruba

12/01/2007

By: Jossy M. Mansur

Once again this man, who thinks himself a star lawyer, has given various televised interviews in which he unfortunately proves that he has no control over his emotions, and uttered one nonsense after the other in angry tone he could not camouflage! What is he looking for really? Popularity? This certainly is not the way to achieve his goal!

I have an immense regard for Greta, but I can't understand why she gives this man the last word and doesn't let us confront him. Neither does she with the facts of the case, which Greta is fully aware of, I'm sure. Maybe in the US, there might be some people that are afraid of his tongue and temper, but with me, he is climbing the wrong tree!

How does a lawyer who pretends to have any class, say that what I've quoted from Joran's deposition isn't true? I again publish this document in the original Dutch, with a translation in English. This should put duct tape on Tacopina's mouth.

In the referred document, Joran said to four Aruban police officers that he thinks he might know where Natalee's body is buried, and that he thinks that Deepak went back to the beach where the girl was lying on the sand, raped and killed Natalee, and afterward buried her close to the first fishermen's hut! And he also wants to ignore a taped conversation in a police car, where the three suspects (Joran, Deepak and Satish were sitting in the back seat), trying to make his client, Joran, come out "innocent" in his confrontation with Deepak. Does this lawyer know how to read? Or is he simply dumb? Deepak said directly to Joran (and the police have this tape!): "if they find the girl, you are looking at 15 years in prison! What did he mean by that? That Joran is "innocent" or "guilty" of something that will send him behind bars for so many years? Can this big-mouthed lawyer understand this? Or does he only want to impose his street style here too? Attacking my evidence based on real facts won't help his client, and if he doesn't stop painting Joran like an angel, I'll find myself forced to publish everything we have found out about him since he was 8 years old! He is certainly no "angel", believe me!

Let Tacopina understand once and for all that I have 33 years of journalism in Aruba behind me, and that if the American media ask for my comments, it is because they are aware that I know more than Tacopina thinks! Could he possibly be trying to break my credibility with the American People, by his clownish acts on TV? I've always spoken the truth to them! I have nothing to hide from anyone. My relationship with David Kock and Ronny Wix, the defense lawyers for the Kalpoe brothers is excellent! They have the professional ethics that Tacopina lacks and a good sense in the practice of law, of that I'm sure!

In my opinion, Paulus committed a critical error when he hired Tacopina to defend Joran, because he doesn't know our environment, he is not up-to-date directly on what happened to Natalee, and all his "knowledge" seems to come from what he has read about the case. I'm sure he doesn't have half of the documents that DIARIO has. Furthermore, we have additional documents that no other media can even dream of having, and that's because we are serious journalists that respect authorities and cooperate with them when asked to do so.

I've said on Greta's show that the three suspects know very well what happened to Natalee, because they were the last ones that were with her on the night of her disappearance. Forget about the tales that from Carlos and Charlies they left her at the Holiday Inn or at the beach close to the Marriott! The story about going behind the Lighthouse to see sharks also leaves lots of doubts. There are contradicting testimonies from Joran, Deepak and Satish! Joran said that they went to his apartment from Carlos and Charlies; the Kalpoe brothers have completely denied that statement. They have declared to the police that they didn't go to that apartment! Which party is telling the truth? And Joran declared that Deepak picked him up at the beach, but Deepak denied that allegation. And then Joran said it was Satish that picked him up! But Satish also denied that he picked him up! The big question Tacopina has to answer is: How did Joran get back home that night? Did he walk? Did Paulus pick him up? Or was there someone else?

And can Tacopina explain to us how his client did the miracle of letting his shoes grow from size 11 to size 14 in one night?

These are some of the discrepancies that authorities have been investigating again, because they don't make any sense! For instance, what was the real relationship between Joran and Koen? Why did he leave the island one or two days after Natalee disappeared? Why, when Art Wood and Dave, Natalee's father, asked authorities to interrogate him, it wasn't done? Why hasn't he been interrogated so far? My reliable sources tell me that Koen knows exactly what happened that night!

If Tacopina thinks that we're not aware of ALL the details of this case, he is badly mistaken! The truth is that we honor our word and will not reveal what we know from our police and judicial sources when asked not to do so! What is said to us in trust will never be betrayed, because then we would be betraying our principles!

I hope this case goes to Court as soon as possible, and if Joran, Deepak and Satish are innocent, they will be cleared by the judge. And if one or more are guilty, this also will be determined by the evidence presented to the presiding Judge. My advice to Tacopina? Stay in the US! Your presence in Aruba will only cause more harm to Joran! Believe me!

Today Judge will decide if Deepak and Satish Kalpoe can have the same attorney
DIARIO Aruba
11-30-2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): On Thursday, DIARIO interviewed attorney David Kock, related to the case of Natalee Holloway. According to attorney Kock, last week the Public Ministry ordered that the suspects Deepak and Satish Kalpoe to have their own attorney.

Thursday was the appeal of this decision that the attorney requested, for his office to continue to represent both suspects.

A judge from Curacao came to hear the case and attorney Kock said that he is very happy with how the hearing went.

Today the same judge will give his decision on this matter and the lawyer will find out about the decision via fax. DIARIO asked the attorney if the investigative team has spoken to his client during the past few days.

According to Mr. Kock, they did speak to them, but one could not even count on two hands to count the amount of hours they spoke with him. So they have to say what was so important to detain the suspect/

The press also asked attorney Figaroa, who represents Deepak Kalpoe, how his client is.

According to Figaroa, he is in good spirits and is very sure of himself. DIARIO asked Figaroa how his client’s interrogation is going and he said that his client has already been interrogated.

DIARIO also asked the lawyer how he sees the supposed new evidence. He said that he is also of the opinion that the evidence is not new.

They are looking at it from a new angle, but it is not new . DIARIO asked the lawyer if he went through all the case documents.

Figaroa said the old dossier has more than 2,000 pages and he has not received it still. He has received the new documents.

[translated by Getagrip]