puracal980.jpg
Jason Puracal, just released from two years of imprisonment in Nicaragua, sits for an interview on Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 in New York. Puracal, from Tacoma, Wash., had his 22-year conviction on drug and money laundering charges vacated by a three panel Nicaraguan appellate court. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Jason Puracal fights return to Nicaragua

BY Josh Kerns  on October 22, 2012 @ 5:39 am (Updated: 7:01 am - 10/22/12 )

Prosecutors in Nicaragua have filed an appeal with that country's Supreme Court seeking to reinstate the sentence of Tacoma native Jason Puracal.

Puracal was acquitted last month by an appeals court after serving two years of a 22 year sentence for drug charges.

"I am an innocent man, there is no evidence against me and the state of Nicaragua is not allowed to continue this case against me," Puracal tells KING 5.

Puracal and his attorney are working with leaders at Seattle University's School of Law to file a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

"The hope is to basically squash the case and make a final judgement in international courts that says that I am an innocent man and there is no evidence against me, and the state of Nicaragua is not allowed to continue this case against me," he says.

Puracal says he is slowly adjusting to his new life in Seattle with his wife and young son. He says he hopes to pursue a Masters in Business at Seattle's Bainbridge Graduate Institute.

"I'm basically starting from zero or negative. There's just so many little things that people take for granted, like getting a drivers license and getting a cell phone and getting an email account. And now I'm on Facebook," he says.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (3)


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  • BikeNazi wrote...
    What a schmuck
    October 22, 2012 6:36 am
    This guy needs to disappear. How much money and resources were wasted getting this idiot freed? WHY IS HE STILL TALKING? Why hasn't he quietly moved to Canada never to be heard of again? This is no longer news.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Nazi, why should he be forced to move to Canada ?
    October 22, 2012 7:24 am
    Or is YOUR hero of a president actually thinking about extraditing him BACK to Nicaragua ? ......... Maybe - Danial Ortaga IS one of his buddies.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • myopinion wrote...
    Hey ZAZI
    October 22, 2012 7:40 am
    Why do you care, I mean it wasn't your money it wasn't your resources. If you don't like the story why read it. I mean you clearly to took time not only to read it, but actully made a comment. Why don't you take the time to read and comment on somthing that is what INTERESTING TO YOU. Or take the seat off your bike and go for a long ride on bumpy road.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }