It’s understood proceedings could be delayed by six months or more.
“At this time, as a family we are still trying to come to terms with the news of the trial delay. It’s deeply upsetting for us as her family but we can’t even begin to imagine how devastating the news will be for our darling Mum,” they said in a statement.
Instead of taking the stand to plead her innocence, the 58-year-old will remain in her Chiba Prison cell where she claims she is kept in isolation for 23 hours a day.
Nelson is not allowed to speak with family, friends or other prisoners, can shower only once every three days and is passing time by reading the Bible.
After several previous hold-ups, it’s understood the prosecution submitted last-minute evidence on Monday.
Horrors under the floorboards of suburban home
The prominent Indigenous community leader has not spoken directly to her family since her arrest at Narita International Airport in January 2023 with methamphetamine allegedly hidden in a tampered suitcase.
According to Nelson’s lawyers, one side of the case was fitted with a false outer lining to create a hidden cavity in which around two kilograms of methamphetamine was found.
In February, Rie Nishida, a criminal defence lawyer and founder of Shinjuku International Law Firm told WAToday that previous trial delays resulted from prosecutors failing to prepare evidence.
“We believe she is actually innocent so if people hear her story with a fair and reasonable mind, she should be acquitted,” she said earlier this year.
“She is in good spirits and looking forward to the trial date because she can finally be heard in court and see her family even while they are sitting in the public gallery during the trial process.”
A new trial date is yet to be scheduled but Nelson’s lawyers have been advised it won’t begin before January 2025, marking two years since her arrest.