Philip Halliday is coming home.
Three years of incarceration in Spanish jail is over. Three years of separation from friends and family will come to an end this week.
Halliday’s lawyer Kevin Burke says Philip has been found guilty but the court has ordered his immediate release.
Burke says he only has the judgement in Spanish but based on his conversations with the Spanish counsel, it appears the court believed Philip had served enough time.
“It seems based on the circumstances and given their interpretation of his level of participation that he should serve no additional time in jail,” said Burke.
Burke wasn’t sure if Philip had already been released or would be shortly.
He said Canadian officials were involved in getting transportation for Philip from the jail to Madrid and putting him up in accommodations and would be working to return him to Canada “as soon as possible”.
Burke did not have any details on Philip’s physical condition but had spoken with Philip’s wife Sheree. Sheree has spoken with Philip since receiving the news.
“He is extremely delighted to be out of jail and excited and looking forward to being reunited with his family on Canadian soil,” said Burke.
Burke said the Spanish lawyers are recommending an appeal of the guilty verdict.
“Mr. Halliday has always maintained his innocence and would like to have his name cleared,” said Burke. “They kept him in jail for three years but obviously that is not foremost in his thought right now. His liberty is. And seeing his family.”
Sheree first alerted the media with a short email near 3 p.m. She explained she had surgery today and would not be granting any interviews.
She later posted on Facebook:
PHILIP HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM PRISON! I know you all have questions, but honestly, that's all I know for now! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!! xo
The Hallidays’ older son Cody posted:
“It’s over” followed by 27 exclamation marks.
It is.Finally.Over.
jriley@digbycourier.ca
