Freedom nearly lost in translation
- Interpreter errors come under scrutiny:
Unable to speak English, Juan Ramon Alfonzo stood before a judge and expected to receive probation for stealing a toolbox. To his surprise, the judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison, followed by 15 years of probation, for stealing a dump truck valued at $125,000.
Now, court officials agree Alfonzo entered the wrong plea because his court-hired interpreter, Marianne Verruno, provided an incomprehensible translation. Two weeks ago, a circuit judge tossed out his plea and sentencing to allow Alfonzo to start the court process over...
"Maybe, if he got 5 percent of what was said, he was lucky."
Interesting examples in the article sidebar of what was said in English, how it was translated, and what the client presumably heard.
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