Former Greens WA candidate and well-known Perth granny, Donna Nelson, is currently serving time in Japan. She’s currently serving a six-year sentence after being convicted of drug trafficking. Her family, including daughters Ashlee Charles and Kristal, are rallying for her appeal, which may hinge on insights from a romance scam expert. Nelson’s case has attracted a high-profile advocacy campaign. Its layers are focused on an imagined internet romance and the shocking fallout that followed.
In December, a Japanese court convicted Nelson for possession with intent to distribute drugs. Authorities discovered methamphetamine concealed inside a gift bag she received while visiting Japan. An affiliate in Laos had passed her the bag. It’s actually a prototype for a clothing line run by her virtual pal, Kelly. Nelson had been in a long-distance relationship with Kelly for two years. Elated to be moving forward, he invited her to fly to Japan.
Background and Circumstances
Long before his legal troubles caught up to him, Donna Nelson was chairing a city-wide Indigenous health service pic.twitter She started a nonprofit that focused on supporting at-risk youth. Her daughters continue to argue that she is the victim of false charges. They think their mom was targeted by a romance scam. They allege Kelly coerced her into taking the fateful trip.
Ashlee Charles expressed the emotional toll of the situation, stating, “It’s really hard to navigate all of this, but navigate day-to-day life without our mum.” The family’s distress compounds as they contend with uncertain and constrained communications. From behind bars, there’s little Nelson can do beyond continuing to exchange letters with them.
The family has flown to Japan multiple times in hopes of gaining Nelson’s freedom. They remain hopeful that next year’s appeal will include the benefit of expert testimony about the psychology behind these kinds of romance scams. Ashlee Charles emphasized the importance of this perspective, saying, “When you talk to the experts, they can talk about the victimology side of it, the psychology, and how they’re groomed.”
Family’s Commitment to Advocacy
It’s inspiring to see a family so hell bent on beating the odds stacked against them. Kristal and Ashlee both feel their mother is innocent without a doubt. They point to her clear anti-drug strong values and how it’s made their streets better and their community safer. “I know that my mum is innocent because of the way she raised us,” Ashlee stated firmly.
The family’s journey is fraught with challenges, including uncertainty about the appeal process’s timeline. Mrs. Charles remarked, “We didn’t know how long it would take for the appeal to get to the first hearing.” This continued uncertainty only compounds their emotional toll.
Their inability to speak directly with their mother has cut the Frens family off from one another and the world around them. Mrs. Charles noted, “It’s really hard if you get sick, or something happens in your life you can’t wait to tell mum… you can’t because obviously we don’t have direct contact with her.” She expressed hope for improved communication options: “It would be nice if there was a phone system, even once a month, that we could talk to her.”
The Path Forward
Donna Nelson’s family is determined not to let their quest for justice end here. They are optimistic that this expert testimony will help explain why she was wrongfully convicted in the first place. The family faces the emotional impact from losing their mother on a daily basis. Through their own heartache, they are committed to telling her story and fighting for her freedom.
