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CNN Live At Daybreak

Ordeal in Peru: Lori Berenson's Parents Speak Out on Her Behalf

Aired June 21, 2001 - 08:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to bring you up to date on the story out of Peru this morning. Lori Berenson has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty -- for the second time found guilty -- this time of terrorist collaboration -- sentenced to another 20 years in prison.

Her parents, Rhoda and Mark Berenson join us now from Peru to tell us more about this. Mr. and Mrs. Berenson, thank you for being here.

MARK BERENSON, FATHER OF LORI BERENSON: Good morning.

RHODA BERENSON, MOTHER OF LORI BERENSON: Thank you.

MCEDWARDS: When you heard that verdict, heard that sentence for the second time, what was your reaction?

R. BERENSON: Well, we weren't totally surprised. We've known all along that the civilian terrorism courts, as they're called, do not meet international standards of fairness. And we were watching this trial, so to speak, for three months, a trial in which the chief judge was simultaneously campaigning for office and making very strong anti-terrorism statements.

So we were -- we were prepared for it. Of course, we were also disappointed. But as Lori said as a final remark: The verdict and sentence are wrong. She's innocent. And she will appeal.

And that's where we move on from here.

MCEDWARDS: And Mr. Berenson, how is Lori now? How has she reacted?

M. BERENSON: Well Lori was -- I'm so proud of her. Yesterday, our other daughter defended her Ph.D. and we're proud of that. And Lori was defending her life with dignity, with poise, with calmness. She faced the cameras yesterday, the microphone -- and for this whole trial, 26 1/2 hours, calmly, collectively, cohesively answering questions.

She is innocent. Peru's justice system is a sham. It is incapable of providing a trial. And this has been said by our State Department, by the United Nations, various human rights groups. This was no time to give Lori a trial. And Reverend Jesse Jackson had said in November: Don't let Lori Berenson fall through the cracks of Peruvian injustice, which incarcerates hundreds of people the way they did Lori yesterday.

I guarantee you there is not one shred of evidence or testimony that would allow for the absurd conviction that occurred yesterday in the court. And we've got it all on tape. We can show it to the world. The world can decide. This was a farce.

MCEDWARDS: And yet, so Mr. and Mrs. Berenson, I know the judges said that Lori was -- quote -- "not a mere spectator." You know that this is difficult stuff in Peru. The violence that happened in the early '90's with the leftist rebels was devastating.

I mean, you're obviously convinced she played absolutely no role?

M. BERENSON: Yes, no role.

R. BERENSON: No. We're absolutely convinced. She has said it repeatedly. She has said also -- and her lawyer emphasized -- that Lori has views that the judges may not like. And before this trial started, somebody said to me, "They very well may convict her for being the type of person who might have done this type of crime." And that's exactly what we feel happened.

They continually said: Oh, you know, you like music of people who are known to be of the left.

I mean, this is what was going on in this trial. She was convicted for her ideas and for, in the judges' mind, being the type of person who might have done this.

MCEDWARDS: Mr. Berenson, there's a new leader in Peru -- a new Democratically elected leader -- Toledo Alejandro, who's actually going to be in the United States next week for meetings in Washington. What hope do you hold out in terms of appealing to him for some sort of commutation?

M. BERENSON: I certainly will appeal to him. He's been -- he's studied in the United States. He understands our system. And he understands justice. I hope he'll be a great president for his people. He comes from abject poverty. And he's a great example to his nation. And we wish him well.

But we certainly are going to speak to him. We hope all the members of Congress whom he meets will bring up Lori's case. This wasn't a trial. This was a sham. This is a travesty of justice because he has to change the laws. The chief judge said on the radio this morning, Lori had a fair trial. If that was fairness, that chief judge doesn't know what fairness is. He's a totally unethical man, while running for office, should have recused himself from this case. He prejudiced himself against Lori from the beginning and then convicted her for publicity yesterday.

The man is a stooge of the previous government. We have proof of that. And he's just a dishonorable person. Another judge was a racist on the air. We have proof of that. This is the kind of system that Lori was tried in. This was no trial. Peru is incapable of giving her a trial. So Lori has been now convicted twice.

But I do believe one day she will get justice. And on that day, everyone will feel better about it because no one should endure a lack of justice.

MCEDWARDS: All right, Mr. and Mrs. Berenson, thank you very much for your time this morning -- Carol.

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