National

Trial of Australian Model Begins in Denpasar
Saturday, 29 October, 2005 | 03:48 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The trial of Michelle Leslie, 24, an Australian model who has been charged with possession of ecstasy pills, began at the Denpasar District Court, Bali, on Friday (28/10).

Prosecutor Risman Torihoran said that Leslie was guilty of having violated article 59 subsection 1e of the State Decree on Psychotropic Medicines and could receive a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The prosecution is also to impose two subsidiary charges, relating to article 60 subsection 5 of State Decree No.5/1997, on the use of psychotropic medicines.

Leslie could receive a maximum sentence of three years in prison under this article.

“We will see which article that can be imposed following the presentation of evidence and witnesses’ testimony,” stated Torihoran.

During this trial, seven witnesses will be examined.

The court will also request testimony from Leslie’s personal doctor regarding problems Leslie has had in using psychotropic medicines.

Leslie was arrested on August 20, at the entrance to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) tourism complex in Jimbaran.

Police carrying out a routine check at GWK found two ecstasy pills in Leslie’s bag.

According to Leslie, the pills were put there by her friend Mia.

However, Mia’s presence is unclear.

After listening to the charges, Leslie and her lawyers said that she would not put forward any exceptions.

“We think the charges are clear enough,” said Cristo Imanuel Duguis, one of her lawyers.
(Rofiqi Hasan-Tempo News Room)