The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, May 30, 2003

SHOOTING FOR A HAT TRICK: Cartago ace Claudio Ciccia needs 3 goals for the record.
TT/ Julio Laínez

Martin's Mom Forced to Return to Golfito
In a court order that slain U.S. student Shannon Martin's mother Jeanette Stauffer is calling a power play to keep her out of the upcoming murder trial, Judge Daniel Morán notified Stauffer Wednesday afternoon that she is required to make a court appearance Monday morning in the southern Pacific port town of Golfito.
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Soccer Ace Keeps Eyes on the Goal
CARTAGO - With the midday sun beating down on the manicured grass soccer field, Cartago's first division soccer team practiced yesterday as they normally would. But for the team's star striker, this Sunday's game offers the chance to make history.
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Pacheco Proposes Constitutional Convention
President Abel Pacheco yesterday confirmed reports that he is planning to propose a Constitutional Convention to draft a new Constitution aimed at streamlining the powers of the Executive Branch.
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May 30

Conversando con Migomismo
Hilarious and silly monologue, delivered in rapid-fire Spanish, performed by Nel López, Fri.-Sat., May, 30-31, June 6-7, 8 p.m., La Comedia Theater, Av. Ctrl., next to Más x Menos. Info: 233-2170.

Dance Competition of the Dance Educator of America In Costa Rica
Sat., May 31, 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Melico Salazar Theater, Av. Ctrl., Ca. Ctrl., 233-5424.

Ed’ E Duz Jazz
Jazz concert by Ed East and Walter Flores, Sun., June. 2, 9:30 p.m., at Jazz Café, San Pedro. Info: 253-8933.

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Martin's Mom Forced to Return to Golfito
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net

BACK AGAIN: Stauffer shows photos of Shannon during recent visit.
TT/Scott Brennan

In a court order that slain U.S. student Shannon Martin's mother Jeanette Stauffer is calling a power play to keep her out of the upcoming murder trial, Judge Daniel Morán notified Stauffer Wednesday afternoon that she is required to make a court appearance Monday morning in the southern Pacific port town of Golfito.

Stauffer, of Topeka, Kansas, came to San José earlier this month to hire a Costa Rican attorney to represent the victim's family in the murder trial, scheduled for June 12 and 13 in Golfito. The date had already passed for Stauffer to enter an attorney, but she argued that she was never notified by the Prosecutor about her right to representation, and therefore should be allowed to have a lawyer (TT Daily Page, May 21).

The judge was supposed to rule on Stauffer's right to representation last Friday. Instead, he notified the bereaved mother that she has four days to book a flight to Costa Rica and go to Golfito to testify that she was never notified by the prosecutor about her right to representation. After Stauffer's declaration, the judge will decide whether or not to allow her a lawyer in the upcoming trial.

Stauffer, who has already traveled here three times in the last two months to try to spur the two-year-old investigation along, told The Tico Times yesterday that she thinks the court is trying to make it impossible to have representation in the murder trial.

"I believe they are trying to force me out and are hoping that I won't show up," Stauffer said. "But I can't quit now, I can't just walk out."

Stauffer said she is requesting an extension until next Friday to give her time to prepare for another trip to Costa Rica. But she insists she will appear before the judge, whether Monday or Friday.

"It's just a mess, an absolute mess!" Stauffer said. "I am so sick of this back and forth. I tried to hire an attorney in Costa Rica so I didn't have to be there for all this, and now they are telling me I need to be there again."

This will be Stauffer's seventh trip to Costa Rica since her daughter was killed, and her fourth trip in a little over two months. She said has already had to borrow four months ahead on her salary, and is asking friends for help with frequent-flier miles to pay her airfare.

Martin, 23, was killed May 13, 2001. Her body was found in the early morning hours along an old airstrip access road near an abandoned hangar, 30 meters from her host family's home (TT, March 18, 2001).

The trial date is set for June 12 and 13, but the court reportedly has not yet conducted psychological examinations of three suspects to stand trial, according to inside sources. It is not yet known if the murder trial will be delayed.

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Soccer Ace Keeps Eyes on the Goal
By Jon Gambrell
Tico Times Staff

CARTAGO - With the midday sun beating down on the manicured grass soccer field, Cartago's first division soccer team practiced yesterday as they normally would. But for the team's star striker, this Sunday's game offers the chance to make history.

Uruguayan-born Claudio Ciccia is three goals away from breaking the all-time scoring record in Costa Rica. The current record, set by Errol Daniels in 1967, stands at 42. Ciccia has 40 and is hoping for a hat trick against Osa this Sunday -- his last opportunity to break the record.

Ciccia's roommate, Minor Arauz, said the fact that Ciccia had even scored 40 is hard to believe.

"Normally, the highest soccer in the league has 25, 26, 27 goals, never any more than 30," he said. "It is incredible."

The 30-year-old goleador, however, says he cares more about playing a good game Sunday.

"I am not worried about breaking the record," he said. "I just want to play the last game right."

Ciccia played soccer in Peru and El Salvador before coming to Costa Rica four years ago.

Cartago, the colonial capital, has embraced Ciccia and is planning a party Sunday in his honor. Painted sheets adorning the stadium read: "Cartago Loves You," and: "Claudio: Make History!"

For Ciccia, the love affair is mutual. "I play to win for the town," he said.

During the practice, townspeople and school children in uniforms watched Ciccia warm up for the weekend game. During the scrimmage, the net-minded forward didn't take a single shot on net, but assisted the only goal.

Cartago youth Ricardo Vega would not predict if Ciccia would be able to score three goals in one game, afraid of jinxing his chances.

"This game is most important for Ciccia," the 13-year-old said. "It will be his game."

This Sunday's game starts at 11 a.m., with tickets going for ˘2,000 ($5) in the sun and ˘3,000 ($7.50) in the shade of the grandstand.

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Pacheco Proposes Constitutional Convention

President Abel Pacheco yesterday confirmed reports that he is planning to propose a Constitutional Convention to draft a new Constitution aimed at streamlining the powers of the Executive Branch.

"This country has gotten caught in its own web with all of the laws we have passed," Pacheco said. "The President is tied by his hands and feet by several powerful institutions that have complicated the job."

Pacheco said he began consulting with political parties a while back about the possibility of calling a new Constitutional Convention. Now, he said, the government is prepared to expand the dialogue to other sectors of society.

Costa Rica's Constitution was approved in 1949, following the country's civil war.

The last three administrations have complained of governability problems and several minority presidential candidates have run on a platform of convoking a new Constitutional Convention.
-AFP

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