Sunday, February 7, 2010

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Americans jailed in Haiti due in court Monday

PORT-AU-PRINCE -- American missionaries jailed in Haiti are due in court Monday, charged with attempted kidnapping and conspiracy.

Visits to the jail holding the group, known as the "Idaho 10," was more strictly controlled Sunday, the day after a note was passed to NBC News through cell bars.

The note in part said:

"Please you must listen. We have no way to call. Court will not let us have a say with anything about truth for us. We only came as volunteers."

The group fired their Haitian defense attorney over a dispute in fees.

They are sleeping on the floor, there's no ventilation, and you can feel the steam coming out of there. This is a health concern because if these other people are sick they're gonna get sick, and in any minute they're getting fevers. We don't know what can happen.

Jorge Puello, their lawyer from the neighboring Dominican Republic, expects good news Monday. He admits the biggest challenge the 10 face is the Haitian court system, where the accused are assume guilty and move prove their innocence.

Laura Silsby, the leader and spokeswoman for the group has repeatedly said their faith will vindicate their actions.

But in that note passed to us, there was this about Laura:

"Laura wants to control. We believe lying. We're afraid."

In Meridian, Idaho Sunday at the Central Valley Baptist Church, parishioners prayed for their friends.

"Though we do not know exactly what transpired down in Haiti, we know we care for those…that find themselves in this hour of need," said Central Valley Baptist Church pastor Drew Ham said.

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