FRIENDS PITCH IN FOR SENIOR'S DRUG TRIAL

A 76-year-old Kingston man who has devoted his life to helping others is
getting another boost of financial support while he awaits trial on a drug
charge inside a Louisiana maximum-security prison.

Friends are meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Kingston John Howard Society
to discuss plans to raise more funds to help defend Ed Shaw at his trial
set for Sept. 23.

The retired high school teacher, who's spent the past 23 years helping the
poor in Central America, has been behind bars since he and three other men
were arrested in Covington, La., last October.

Shaw had been travelling in a two-vehicle convoy when state police found
cocaine and weapons in the other vehicle.

Wrong place, time

Friends insist Shaw was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Among his supporters is George Thomson, executive director of the National
Judicial Institute and former deputy minister of justice.

Thomson, who has known Shaw for several years, says he has personal
knowledge of the projects Shaw developed in Belize.

"There is nothing about him that would in any way suggest that he would
commit an offence such as this," said Thomson.

"I have indicated my willingness to go down to testify on his behalf at his
trial."

Efforts are now under way to help cover the $20,000 US cost of hiring a
lawyer to defend Shaw. Supporters still need to raise about $12,000.

More information is available at www.free-edshaw.org.