The Schapelle Corby story.

In the past week TV viewers have been watching over four hours of a documentary series depicting the events surrounding Schapelle Corby's arrest, trial and conviction for allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana into Indonesia.

It has been a fascinating experience with all the twists and turns of of a TV crime drama - but it probably left unanswered as many questions as it purported to lay to rest.

Much was made of the fact that a friend and neighbour of Schapelle's father was convicted of growing and selling marijuana. There is no suggestion that this was a sophisticated hydroponic operation and it seems that the plants were for his own use - ands to generate a little much needed cash.

There is no doubt that the Corby family made an unfortunate choice when they labelled the Indonesian government and it's courts corrupt and vindictive. Had the approach to the trial been less hysterical and accusatory there is every chance that the outcome might have been less severe. The sensational media coverage locked in the Indonesians to a retaliatory stance.

The biggest bombshell was the claim by Schapelle's former lawyer that the " baggage handlers " defence - which suggested that the marijuana had been put in the surfboard bag by airport baggage staff engaged in drug distribution - and missed by a collector - was a lie he dreamed up without any foundation.

This was absolutely devastating - and stripped away the main plank of Schapelle's plea that she was an innocent victim of criminal drug distribution gone wrong in Australia.

It should be taken into account that the lawyer concerned is in bitter dispute with the Corby family. He was summarily sacked when the court handed down a guilty verdict and it could be reasoned that his claim might be payback to get even for perceived insults.

There is no doubt that there was corruption in the baggage handling area at Sydney airport at the time Schapelle left for Bali, but whether or not this involved drug distribution by way of passenger bags is not clear.

What is clear is that the crime for which Schapelle was tried and convicted makes absolutely no sense.

There are large numbers of people in Indonesian gaols for trying to smuggle heroin and cocaine into the country from Asia's " Golden Triangle ". There are people in gaol - including the " Bali Nine " for trying to smuggle drugs out of Indonesia to Australia - but Schapelle is the only person accused of trying to smuggle marijuana IN to Indonesia !

Marijuana is expensive in Australia. It is both readily available and cheap in Indonesia. Why would anybody knowingly take the risk of trying to smuggle a commercial quantity of a drug through customs checks to where it would sell for substantially less than it's point of origin ?

That question was studiously avoided in both the court trials and the documentary aired in recent nights.

This has been an unfortunate affair and viewers of the recent programme must make up their own minds as to Schapelle's guilt or innocence. Unfortunately events have got out of hand and it is now near impossible for the court to back down from an overly harsh verdict - or for the Australian government to intervene.

In all probability Schapelle will languish in a squalid gaol until the affair fades from public interest. The airing of this documentary merely ensures that day will be a lot longer in coming - and any hope of an early release will depend on all those involved holding their future silence !