Renae Lawrence

Infobox Criminal
subject_name = Renae Lawrence

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image_size =
image_caption =
date_of_birth = Birth date and age|1977|10|11|mf=y
place_of_birth =
date_of_death =
place_of_death =
alias =
charge =
conviction = Drug trafficking
penalty = 20 years imprisonment
status = Imprisoned (Indonesia)
occupation = Panel beater
Caterer
spouse =
parents =
children =

Renae Lawrence (b. October 11, 1977 [http://www.usp.com.au/fpss/case-bali9-renae_lawrence.html] ) is a former panel beater and caterer from Newcastle, New South Wales. She is the only female among the nine arrested as part of the Bali Nine group of nine Australians found guilty of attempting to import a total of 8.3 kg of heroin from Indonesia to Australia. She has accused Andrew Chan of threatening her life if she did not continue with the plan to import drugs.

Prosecutors had earlier recommended Lawrence receive a 20 year prison sentence if convicted, the lightest sentence of all defendants, due to her early co-operation with police. On February 13, 2006, judges imposed a higher sentence than sought by prosecutors, with Lawrence sentenced to life imprisonment [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lawrence-jailed-for-20-years/2006/02/13/1139679516835.html] . Lawrence formally lodged her appeal on February 16, 2006 [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18174943-2,00] . Her original life sentence was reduced to 20 years upon her successful appeal. She is currently serving her sentence in Kerobokan Prison.

Her release date is in February of 2026.

Early life

Lawrence lived with a female partner 10 years her senior for most of her teen and early adulthood years. After the relationship ended she moved back in with her mother and stepfather. Her father, Bob Lawrence, described his daughter upon her arrest as being "gullible and naive" [http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Suicide-mission/2005/04/22/1114152326434.html] .

Lawrence gained employment with a local smash repair company. Later, whilst employed at the Eurest Catering Company, Lawrence met fellow defendants, Martin Stephens, Matthew Norman, and Andrew Chan.

Criminal charges pending in Australia

Lawrence and Norman were arrested on March 26, 2005 whilst travelling along the Pacific Highway in a stolen Ford Laser vehicle. Police were required to use road spikes to intercept the stolen vehicle. Both were due to appear in the Gosford Magistrates Court to face car theft and traffic related charges On April 26, 2005, however failed to appear due to their imprisonment in Indonesia a week earlier on April 17, 2005. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/How-Renae-lost-her-way-and-landed-on-death-row/2005/04/23/1114152364809.html]

Arrest in Indonesia

Lawrence admitted to two prior visits to Bali on October 16, 2004 and November 5, 2004, where she and Andrew Chan made an earlier successful run with heroin from Bali to Australia during their October visit. The second delivery, scheduled for December 2004 was aborted when heroin suppliers failed to deliver [http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18138436-5001032,00.html] .

Lawrence was discovered with heroin weighing 2.689 kg concealed on her body at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar on April 17, 2005. Lawrence is reported to have attempted suicide twice since her imprisonment and also suffered a broken arm due to an incident involving self harm after learning fellow defendant and ringleader, Andrew Chan was to be moved to the same prison [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/corby-comes-to-the-rescue/2005/08/01/1122748579685.html?oneclick=true] .

Criticisms of Australian Federal Police tipoff

Lawrence's father, Bob Lawrence, said in October, 2005 he wanted to meet AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty face to face after learning of comments made by Lee Rush relating to a call made before the group's departure for Indonesia. The call informed police of possible links to the illegal drug trade and requested that they intervene.

:"As far as I'm concerned, and excuse the expression, he is an arsehole. These kids were forced into this … they should have been either arrested at the airport here or followed to get the big guys. I don't know how they can sleep at night … even if they (the Bali nine) were guilty of doing it willingly, it still doesn't deserve the death penalty." [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/parents-pain-on-prison-visit-to-bali-nine/2005/10/08/1128563036397.html]

Criminal trial

Lawrence has admitted to her role in attempting to smuggle the drugs to Australia, saying before the Denpasar District Court,

: "I would like to say to you and your country that I am sincerely sorry for what I have done. I need you to understand why I did it and ask for the mercy of this court. I'm guilty of carrying this stuff to Australia, but I'm not guilty of owning, selling or anything else because Andrew Chan owns it, not me." [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lawrence-admits-smuggling-attempt/2006/01/09/1136771495742.html] .

Fellow accused Michael Czugaj and Scott Rush, school friends from Brisbane, have testified they had never met Lawrence or Martin Stephens until they were all arrested together at Ngurah Rai Airport.

Indonesian judges found no evidence of Lawrence claims her life was threatened. Judge I Gusti Ngurah Astawa said during sentencing, :"The council of judges found no proof of the use of force in this crime, therefore the defendant has to be sentenced as fairly as possible" [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lawrence-jailed-for-20-years/2006/02/13/1139679516835.html] .

ee also

*List of Australians in international prisons
*List of Australian criminals

References

* [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1568930.htm Lawrence, Rush set to appeal life sentences] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, February 14, 2006
* [http://smh.com.au/news/world/my-life-destroyed-for-nothing/2006/02/13/1139679534806.html My life destroyed for nothing] , Sydney Morning Herald, February 14, 2006
* [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18142660-29277,00.html Lawrence devastated at life sentence]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sentence-shock-can-they-do-that-lawrence-asks/2006/02/13/1139679536414.html Sentence shock: can they do that, Lawrence asks]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lawrence-jailed-for-20-years/2006/02/13/1139679516835.html Lawrence jailed for life] , Sydney Morning Herald, February 13, 2006
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/renae-lawrence-hopes-to-confirm-20year-sentence/2006/02/12/1139679479616.html Renae Lawrence hopes to confirm 20-year sentence] , The Age, February 13, 2006
* [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18129672-29277,00.html PM to oppose Bali death sentences] , February 13, 2006
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/embassy-team-to-monitor-verdicts-for-bali-nine/2006/02/10/1139542406318.html Embassy team to monitor verdicts for Bali nine] , The Age, February 11, 2006
* [http://smh.com.au/news/national/bali-nine-organiser-arrested/2006/02/13/1139679499708.html Bali nine 'organiser' arrested] , Sydney Morning Herald, February 13, 2006
* [http://smh.com.au/news/world/dday-for-bali-nine-but-lawrence-is-smiling/2006/02/12/1139679479138.html D-Day for the Bali nine] , Sydney Morning Herald, February 13, 2006
* [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18124673%255E662,00.html Bali Nine cling to faith] , Herald Sun, February 13, 2006
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lawrence-admits-smuggling-attempt/2006/01/09/1136771495742.html Lawrence admits smuggling attempt] , Sydney Morning Herald, January 9, 2006
* [http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,18101450%255E1702,00.html Lawrence dad heads to Bali]
* [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10365568 Bali 'godfather' smiles at verdict]
* [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17894401%255E662,00.html Bali Nine told co-operate or die]
* [http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,17898503%255E949,00.html Only Bali 9 ringleaders face death]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Prosecutors-demand-death-for-Sukumaran/2006/01/24/1138066785224.html Bali Nine accused await sentencing fate]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/bali-nine-kingpin-suffers-amnesia-in-court/2006/01/06/1136387616858.html Bali Nine kingpin suffers 'amnesia' in court] , The Age, January 6, 2006
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Lawrence-terrified-of-godfather-Chan/2005/12/22/1135032129810.html Lawrence terrified of 'godfather' Chan] , The Age, December 22, 2005
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Bali-nine-woman-was-ringleader-says-Chan/2005/05/15/1116095856702.html Bali nine woman was ringleader, says Chan]
* [http://news.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=us/4-0&fp=43b1410767330b5d&ei=Ax-xQ-DnMbiwaK2a2IYI&url=http%3A//www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1524678.htm&cid=0 Lawyers seek charges to extradite Bali nine] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, December 6, 2005
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/How-Renae-lost-her-way-and-landed-on-death-row/2005/04/23/1114152364809.html How Renae lost her way and landed on death row] , Sydney Morning Herald, April 24, 2005