Ted Maher in court of Monaco to reduce sentence
Monaco’s most famous prisoner, American Ted Maher, claims not to have planned his fantastic escape in 2003. Last year he was sentenced to a further nine months imprisonment for his escape on June 21st 2003 from the Monegasque prison on the Rock. On last November 27, he appeared in court to appeal this decision, claiming it to be unjust. His defense counsel argued that Maher played a secondary role in the escape, adding that his client feels like a victim of a legal system that he does not understand. Maher claims that the escape was planned by his accomplice and fellow prisoner, Luigi Ciardelli and that he only helped with the last part of the scheme. The two apparently used a saw to cut through three bars on the prison window, hiding their work with a painting. Maher was sentenced back in December 2002 to ten years, after being found guilty of lighting a fire in 1999 at his place of work, his wealthy employer’s residence, which resulted in the death of his boss, Edmond Safra as well as that of the personal nurse. The prosecutor demanded that the additional nine months sentence be maintained, as the two prisoners appeared to show great willingness to escape by their actions and Maher had helped saw one of the bars. A court decision will be made by January 15th, 2007.