Nifonged in Nicarague: Congressman John Doolittle and Eric Volz

Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA) has taken an interest in the Eric Volz case.

Rep. Doolittle, others eye diplomatic relief for Volz in Nicaragua - Roger Phelps and Eric Laughlin, Mountain Democrat

In the case of former Ponderosa High School student Eric Volz, convicted of murder by a court in Nicaragua, U.S Rep. John Doolittle's office has heard a briefing on the matter from a family member, along with a request for help.
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Doolittle also is familiar with a rush of Internet postings concerning the fate of Volz around the death of his former girlfriend last November in a small coastal town south of Managua, the Nicaraguan capital.

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“John Doolittle is concerned with the situation of Eric Volz,” said Doolittle spokesman Brian Jensen. “He is working with members of Congress, Senators Richard Lugar and Lamar Alexander, to make sure justice prevails. The avenue to do so - that's what we're working on. Diplomatic channels are going to be significant - a citizen of our sovereign country is being penalized by the justice system of another sovereign country.”

Nicaragua's president since last October's election is Daniel Ortega, whose Sandinista forces in 1979 ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza and installed a socialist government that was battled for years by a U.S.-funded mercenary army called the Contras.
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“That obviously adds a layer of complexity to the situation,” Jensen said. “We don't want to fall into the trap of making a determination on a case without due process (the appeal), any more than Nicaragua would want to make a determination (in a case pending in the U.S.).”