Drugs: Aussie faces death

Emma L'Aiguille faced court today in Kuala Lumpur in relation to an alleged seizure of methamphetamine in the car she was travelling in.

Kuala Lumpur: Lawyers for Emma L'Aiguille, the Australian mother of six accused of drug trafficking and facing the death penalty if convicted, have asked the prosecution to drop the charges, promising that she will act as a witness in any related cases.

Ms L'Aiguille, who was arrested in July when police allegedly found more than one kilogram of methamphetamine in the back seat of the car she was driving, made a brief appearance in the Kuala Lumpur Magistrates Court today, when her case was rescheduled for November 9.

Ms L'Aiguille, 34, sobbed as she hugged her mother and sister over the wooden partition that divides the public gallery from the dock where the accused must sit.

At court ... from left, Emma L'Aiguille's mother Amanda Innes, a friend, and her sister Amber Lawn. Photo: Liz Gooch

Prosecutors had been expected to present a chemist's report today that would confirm the quantity of drugs seized from the car. However, because the report is not yet ready, the case was postponed.

Advertisement

Ms L'Aiguille has been charged under Section 39B of Malaysia's Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a mandatory death sentence for anyone found in possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamines.

If the chemist's report confirms that the drugs weigh 50 grams or more, lawyers expect her case will be sent to the Kuala Lumpur High Court for trial.

Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Ms L'Aiguille's lead lawyer, said he had written to the prosecution two weeks ago asking for the charges against Ms L'Aiguille to be dropped. He does not expect to hear from the prosecution until they receive the chemist's report.

The rest is here:
Drugs: Aussie faces death