Steven Update

I have been asked by a few people to keep this blog going so they can see how things are progressing with Steven. So, I will so long as people are still interested I shall continue to keep you updated.

The photo above was taken on the 6th January 2009 at Centro Penetenciario del Modelo, Tipitapa, Nicaragua. Left to right, Brendan Quinn, Steven Evitts, Junniet Castillo.

I visited Steven's mom yesterday. It was actually quite emotional not only for her but also for me. I had a photograph that we arranged to be taken at one of the visits I was at which includes myself, Steven and a Nicaraguan girl called Junniet who is Stevens girlfriend. It was a really good day getting the photo taken as Steven was really excited about his mom receiving it. So, when i did give the photo to Steves mom, it was somewhat emotional. I really felt for her as we discussed what had happened and the fact that she has not seen her son for over 5 years now. She desperately wants to see him so much so that it is likley with the help of a few other people associated with Nicaragua, I think we may be able to get her on a flight to see her son. This is all if it is Gods will. We shall see what transpires.

I spoke with Steven yesterday who was actually quite excited about the prospect of going to court this Wednesday to see if he can have his sentence reduced. It's hard during these times not to get hopes up and often there is no point trying to keep peoples feet on the ground as nothing I can say will change the hope that his sentence will be reduced. Still, in a country like Nicaragua who knows what will happen on Wednesday, could be nothing at all or everything, we will not know until wednesday. I will keep you posted.....

Newspaper clippings from Nicaraguan Newspaprs reporting on Stevens arrest and initial hearing in Managua 2003.