Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - A court's decision to hold three men for trial for the attempted theft of two bananas is drawing surprise and ridicule from lawyers in Nicaragua.
The bananas stolen are valued at 32 cents. The trial is expected to cost at least $600.
Prosecutors said in preliminary proceedings Thursday the three men tried to steal the bananas from a fruit vendor in December. They ran with the fruit but were caught. Two are being held at a local jail, and a third is under a form of house arrest. The trial is set for April 23.
Lawyer Ivan Morales isn't defending any of the men, but says the decision to prosecute is inexplicable.
"It is ridiculous to hold a trial that costs a lot of money, over two bananas," he said.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)