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The 10 Americans charged with kidnapping in Haiti will be in court again next week, but this time with different representation. The group has fired their Haitian attorney Edwin Coq. A.B.C News obtained a letter some of the family members wrote to the U.S. Consulate, expressing concerns about the trial, and Coq. They say Coq told them he wanted $10,000 to take the case, but doubled the fee, and then doubled it again.
"He told us if we were able to transfer the retainer to him by 11 AM, 9 would be released. Out of fear of repercussions" they say, "we verbally agreed." But, they say, the funds did not go through, and on Thursday, when the missionaries finally had their day in court, all 10 were charged with child kidnapping and conspiracy.
They say in a conference call Coq said, "If I would have had the $10,000 today the nine would have been released."
A.B.C. News asked Coq about the allegations, he told reporters he hasn't received a penny for his work.
