outrageous.

I first heard the story of Eric Volz from my friend Dave, whom I met on my trip to Greece last winter. This story has gotten some national media attention, having been featured on Dateline and the Today Show several times each. Dave's friend Eric is a young American who was living in Nicaragua, creating and publishing a magazine devoted to "sustainable development and lifestyle." Eric was two hours away from San Juan Del Sur on Nov. 21, 2006 when his ex-girlfriend was murdered. Despite the fact that none of the overwhelming physical evidence at the scene could be tied to Eric and that at least 10 witnesses and other conclusive evidence placed him in Managua during the possible crime hours, he was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Please read the Facts page at the Friends of Eric Volz website for the more complete and more infuriating details of this atrocious case. Also take the time to watch this video.

On Monday, his case was finally heard in the appellate court of Nicaragua. The judges there overturned his conviction and sent orders to the prosecuting judge to sign release papers immediately. She arranged to meet the American embassy officials and Eric's attorney at the court at 2pm, and then left the courthouse at 1:30, leaving orders not to be disturbed. As far as I've heard she has not returned, nor has she signed the release papers. What this has done is allow the media to stir up enough of a frenzy to where the threat to Eric being able to leave the country safely is in real danger, whenever or if the prosecuting judge signs the release.

Eric and his family are urgently in need of prayer. He has said over and over in the rare letters he's been able to send just how much the prayers of so many are sustaining him throughout this nightmare. Please share this story with everyone you know, and click on this link for instructions on how to write your senator/congressperson to plead on Eric's behalf. There is hope for this year-long ordeal to end before Christmas - and although Eric's health is poor right now due to being imprisoned and denied his asthma medication, he could spend the holidays back in the US with his family in Nashville.