Eric Volz could be retried for murder

The “Dostoevsky-like” tale of Eric Volz has taken another turn.

Originally from Tennessee, Volz was convicted and sentenced to thirty years in jail for the rape and murder of his former girlfriend in Nicaragua. His case created controversy between supporters including family and friends in the U.S. and detractors who strongly believed he was guilty. Ultimately Volz served fifteen months imprisoned after his conviction was overturned last December.

Volz may soon have to return to jail, however, after Nicaragua’s Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal on his case. Volz could be tried in absentia, a tactic that he views as unconstitutional:

In a YouTube video posted Monday, Volz, 29, said there are two likely outcomes from the Supreme Court review: Either the appeals decision to clear him will be overturned or the justices will order a retrial. Both are unconstitutional given his absence, Volz said.

"Either way, once again I will be a wanted man in Nicaragua," Volz says on the video.

Volz added that the review of his case was due to Nicaragua’s contentious elections. As we noted yesterday, tensions are still high and have included acts of violence.

Image- CNN
Sources- The Latin Americanist, WSMV, The Tennessean, Global Voices Online, NPR