PANAMA — My case should have ended a long time ago. Instead, the case drags on. As some of you may know the prosecution returned the charges to the judge stating that a 10 foot wall is not high enough to keep kids from climbing trees to watch what’s going on the other side of the wall. This is despite the cop and private security firm I hired to keep prying eyes away from the Devil’s Film production going on behind the walls.Most everyone in Panama agrees there is no case, including all lawyers. Problem seems to be that the case is driven politically from the very beginning. There was a big move to put into place new laws to “protect” minors. Thinking that there might have been minors involved in our production and then finding none, it appears the case was manufactured from the start. The only minors involved were the ones trespassing on my neighbors property to climb and hide in the trees.
The US Embassy has been very supportive but can’t do more than ask the Panamanian government that justice be done. There has been a lot of support from the various adult groups such as Ynot.com, Xbiz, F.O.X.E and from the Elegant Angel Company. The owner of Adam and Eve, Phil Harvey, through his foundation also provided much needed assistance. Many other contributos to my legal defense fund, too numerous to mention have earned a very special place in my heart for eternity and I sincerley thank all of you!
It appears that the judge will set a preliminary trial date for September. This has not been confirmed and it is oceans of time away. Because I am under country wide arrest I have not had any contact with my wife who remains stuck in Cuba. Her visa to come to Panama is continually denied (it’s very difficult for Cubans to travel to Panama. This is not due to the Cuban side…but to the Panamanians).
If any of you can help support me and my lawyer I would be most grateful. The road is still long ahead I am afraid. I am not officially allowed to work and it is extremely difficult to survive, let alone pay for medicines and doctor visits andphone calls to Cuba.
The link is still up at http://www.fredsalaff.com to donate using PayPal (the button is easy to see). I am sorry to ask.
