Schapelle family slams Ten for airing ex-cellmate’s allegations ‘for the sake of ratings and money’
The family of Schapelle Corby has hit out at Network Ten for airing an interview with her former cellmate Renae Lawrence tonight describing allegations as “fantasy” and adding “unsubstantiated allegations should not be made simply for the sake of ratings and money”.
Mobile phone footage of an interview with Lawrence, a convicted heroin smuggler aired on Ten Eyewitness News tonight and her claim Schapelle admitted she knew she was carrying marijuana into Bali in her body board bag and it was her fourth trip doing so, a crime she has been convicted and served time for, but has always publicly denied. She also said Schapelle had faked mental illness to get more sympathy.
Earlier today Ten admitted it had paid “a small sum” of money for the footage to the interviewer’s agents, as it looks to bolster recent weak ratings running the footage on its news and The Project. Rivals Seven and Nine both told Mumbrella they had turned it down.
In the statement the Corby family said: “In the interview, Renae Lawrence apparently states that Schapelle Corby confided in her whilst Schapelle was an inmate in Kerobokan Prison. Schapelle did not confide in Renae Lawrence about any matter relating to her arrest in Indonesia/Bali.The claims by Renae Lawrence that Schapelle confessed to her that she had knowingly smuggled the marijuana in her boogie board bag are false.
“Schapelle denies ever making any such confession to Renae Lawrence or to anyone else.The further claims by Renae Lawrence that Schapelle had done so on many occasions are preposterous, maliciously false and a creation of her own fantasy.The actions of the Ten Network in procuring and presumably paying for this interview, are extremely hurtful and are causing Schapelle and our family great anxiety and distress.
“The credibility of Renae Lawrence should be seriously questioned and unsubstantiated allegations should not be made simply for the sake of ratings and money.”
Earlier today The Australian Federal Police, which investigated claims Seven had paid money for an exclusive interview with Schapelle Corby under the Proceeds of Crime Act, said it was “inappropriate” to comment n whether it would launch a similar investigation with Ten.
The fam are only snarky because someone else managed to snag their 13 pieces of silver. And as for calling someone else’s reputation into question – don’t make me laugh!
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Reputation? What would that be, the words of a self confessed heroin smuggler who was caught on her 3rd shipment into Australia and who has given no thought herself to the other Westerners in jail in Indonesia, especially those appealing death sentences. Lawrence should not get a cent, it should all be donated to charity.
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