Corby encouraged, but also shocked, by Ford testimony

KEROBOKAN, Bali - Accused drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was left shocked and upset by evidence that she was the innocent victim of an Australian crime gang, a key supporter said today.

Lawyers for the former Gold Coast beauty student on trial in Bali have been heartened by the evidence of Victorian remand prisoner John Ford, and by news Australian police are investigating an alleged drug ring in Australian airports.

Ford told Denpasar District Court yesterday that he overheard two fellow prisoners laughing about how a crime boss' shipment of marijuana had gone missing between Brisbane and Sydney last year.

He was certain the stash was the same 4.1kg of marijuana found in Corby's boogie board bag when she arrived at Bali airport last October.

But while encouraged by his testimony, 27-year-old Corby was devastated to hear an explanation of what might have put her in a Bali jail cell and at risk of execution by firing squad, said financial backer Ron Bakir.

"She couldn't sit through listening to what actually happened to her for the first time," Bakir, a Gold Coast phone mogul told ABC radio after visiting Corby today in Bali's Kerobokan prison.

"What's really getting her down is when Mr Ford said the other people were making a joke about who's going to get shot over it. That's really shocked her."

Bakir said he was confident the trial judges would take Ford's evidence very seriously.

"I think it will help her case -- I have no doubt about it."

Vasu Rasiah, an adviser to Corby's legal team, also said Corby had been encouraged by Ford's evidence.

"With Ford's testimony, the (Australian) government cannot sleep anymore," Rasiah told journalists outside the prison after visiting Corby today.

"They have to investigate, so there's another road opening towards freedom."

Corby's uncle, Shun Hatten, said today she looked the worst he had ever seen her after Ford's testimony.

"She was just overwhelmed by the sacrifice he's made and the debt she owes him," he said. "The whole family is very grateful to him."

Ford was expected to fly back to Australia tonight.

Corby's lawyers are also confident an Australian Federal Police investigation into domestic airport drug trafficking syndicates will find new evidence to free their client.

"The Australian Federal Police do regard it as serious and they're acting accordingly," Justice Minister Chris Ellison said today.

It was unclear whether any new evidence arising from the AFP investigation could be submitted to the Bali court at this late stage.

However, Rasiah suggested it could be grounds for a judicial review later.

Despite the good news, Bakir said Corby was struggling emotionally.

"She's not doing too well -- she's not coping at all. We need to get her out."

Corby also issued a message through Bakir to the Australian public, appealing for their continued support.

"I thank the Australian public for all of their support because without their support I'd be dead already," Corby's message said.

Corby's mother, Rosleigh Rose, said her daughter's health had noticeably deteriorated through the trial progressed.

"Schapelle is strong, but it's a long time to be kept in these conditions," she told AAP outside the prison.

Inside, Corby is sharing a cell with seven Balinese female prisoners and is rarely let out unless she has a visitor.

"Everybody's got their breaking point, hopefully she can last a couple more weeks," Rose said.

- AAP