Is there something we as travelers can perhaps do to help keep this rapist in jail until the trial? If we signed a petition that said we as part of the traveling community will boycott Costa Rica if this man is released, would it help to show that the word has gotten out and that this is going to affect the tourist dollars?
Maybe moonlyn or shay, who are closest to the lawyers in the case, could respond...

Unfortunately I have no recommendations other than helping to keep this thread alive. However, Shay suggested contacting Antonio Calvo Vargas in her last post and provided both telephone number and email address.

The trial is in November. He is being kept in jail until then.

Thanks, Shay! This is a relief. I've been wondering.

My niece was able to give her deposition before going on holidays.

While this is a tragedy, I hope it will not keep single women from traveling to the Caribbean coast. I have done it as a single woman and I know of a number of single women who live there. It is a beautiful place and well worth the trip. Of course, you have to be careful.

Glad to know this guy is in jail - laws are different in Costa Rica and it is sometimes tough to put someone away. Looks like whatever all of you did worked and I'm glad your niece will be able to feel that there is some justice.

The Tribunal has set the trial date for October 25th-28th. Thankfully he's been locked up this whole time awaiting trial (since May 9th, 2009).

Please feel welcomed to contact me if you want any more information.

Gratitude to all who played a part (in whatever way) for helping lock this sick saddistical bastard up.

Shay

Shay, thanks for keeping us up to date as well as everything else you have done. I am anxious to hear the outcome of this trial.

Please spread the word throughout the communities to support the women who have come forward to testify against him. This trial is open to the public/community. If you can attend, please GO to the Trial in person!

If you are unable to attend the Trial, Sylvia Cabezas has the contact info for the prosecutor (Janet Mena) and the Tribunal. Contact them! Tell them you support locking this monster up and giving him the MAXIMUM SENTENCE AND NO EARLY RELEASE FROM PRISON!!!!

(and say thanks) to Sylvia Cabezas. Her email is: [email protected]

Shay, my sister-in-law is in Canada at the moment but will be back in Costa Rica for the trial. My niece is determined to testify. Perhaps you will all meet.

Thank you so much for your major role in bringing this monster to trial and helping to keep him in jail in the meantime. It took the effort of many brave women to reach this point. I will email Sylvia.

Tragic! Such areas with high intensity of crimes should be spotted by the authorities. Proper action will make such cases almost nil if not zero.

Mohet You obviously have no understanding of the culture or legal issues in Costa Rica. It is very complicated. And "proper action" in other countries does not make such cases "almost nil if not zero." There are millions of people in jail in the US, for instance, but there is still crime.

First, I want to send my condolences to all affected by this freak and to pay my respects to Shay for her bravery! My large family and I are going to be staying in a villa south of Playa Chaquita in a couple of months so I thank you for your words of warning. What has the range of these attacks been? Have they all occured at playa chaquit?

jroll1, this particular rapist is now on trial and the verdict will be given on Thusday. He has been in prison for several months and hopefully will spend the rest of his life there.

Another recent thread discusses a violent attack of a different kind, Marin County Man Shot in Puerto Viejo, so please exercise caution while you are there. Nobody in your party should go out on their own, day or night. Consult local people for safety advice as they will have up to date information. Most people who visit this area have no problem but it is wise to be aware of potential local dangers, just as you would be at home.

Thank you moolyn. I really appreciate the words of warning. We will definitely be more careful then we otherwise would have. I have let everyone in my family know and we will definitely stick together.
Thanks.

I was in Puerto Viejo recently and walked alone on the beach several times. Would I avoid walking into a crowd of young men obviously having a "meeting?" Yes. Would I walk on the beach alone at night? No. Would I avoid walking on the beach during the day because I was afraid to walk alone? No.

People are killed in the northern California area every day but no one ever says,"If you are walking in Oakland, make sure you don't walk alone and never go out at night."

hsmithcr, it's very fortunate for you then that the Puerto Vielo Rapist is currently in jail and has been on trial this past week since he did not respect day or night. I for one am hoping that he will spend the rest of his life in jail!

Yes there is crime everywhere and due dilligence should be observed - even in Oakland - especially if you are a women. If there is a particular menace in a particular place who preys on tourists, thankfully we have a forum like this where warnings can be posted and anguish can be prevented.

Moolyn - I didn't mean any disrespect to you and I also hope the rapist spends a long time in jail. And it is definitely a good thing to have warnings about certain areas.

But there needs to be a balance between extreme fear and common sense caution.

I would recommend that wherever people are staying in the Puerto Viejo area, they should just ask at their lodging for advice on safety. The local people will know the latest and can advise accordingly.

hsmithcr, if you read all through this thread you will find that a consistent effott has been made to remain accurate and balanced and to offer common sense advice. People have not been advised to avoid Puerto Viejo, just warned that women should not go to the beach there on their own.

I totally agree with your suggestion to ask for safety advice locally - wherever you go. The people of Puerto Viejo were aware of the identity of the rapist long before he was thrown in jail and were every bit as anxious as the rest of us that he be brought to justice!

There has been a great deal of testimony presented in the current trial. The verdict should be given today so hopefully I will be able to share it with you all later.

Best of luck, moolyn; hopefully justice will be served.

Thanks, volcanogirl! No news about a verdict yet but it's reassuring that so much testimony has been presented.