The Pastor and the Painter: Inside the lives of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran - from Aussie schoolboys to Bali 9 drug traffic

Description

A very personal look at Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. Cindy Wockner was a journalist reporting the story of two surly drug smugglers. She was there from the beginning and would become a good friend of the two changed men. At 12.35 a.m. on 29 April 2015, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were led out in front of a firing squad. Strapped to wooden crosses, they looked straight down the barrels of their killers' rifles. On that day, the Indonesian government did not execute two drug smugglers, they executed a pastor and a painter. But who were Andrew and Myuran? In 2005, the lure of drugs, money, fast cars and a better life led them and seven other Australians into a smuggling plot to import heroin from Indonesia to Australia. Unbeknownst to them all, the Australian Federal Police knew of their plan and tipped off the Indonesian authorities. Charged with drug trafficking, Myuran and Andrew were found guilty and sentenced to death. Andrew was 21 years old. Myuran was 24. At the time, Cindy Wockner was the Indonesia correspondent for News Limited: for a decade she covered their story and she got to know Myuran, Andrew and their families. They let her into their lives and she watched them transform from angry, defiant young inmates into fully rehabilitated, good men. This is the intimate, and untold, story of Andrew and Myuran. It details their redemption inside Kerobokan prison and their passion for helping others - through Andrew's growing commitment to his faith and Myu's burgeoning artistic talent. It reveals the boys they were and the men they became, in a potent cautionary tale and a poignant reminder of what we all lose when we ignore the power of mercy. 'gripping' DAILY TELEGRAPH on Cindy Wockner and Madonna King's BALI 9

Cindy Wockner is National Investigations Editor at News Corporation Newspapers, Australia. Her articles appear in News Corp papers across Australia, including the COURIER-MAIL, the DAILY TELEGRAPH, HERALD-SUN, ADELAIDE ADVERTISER and NT NEWS. Cindy has co-authored two books, BALI 9 and EVIL IN THE SUBURBS. You can follow Cindy on Twitter @CindyWockner or visit cindywockner.com

gripping - DAILY TELEGRAPH on Cindy Wockner and Madonna King's BALI 9 a potent cautionary tale and a poignant reminder of what we all lose when we ignore the power of mercy. - Mildurea Midweek clearly written, carefully researched . . . a copybook example of what good journalists, with tenacity and understanding, can provide. - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD on Cindy Wockner and Madonna King's BALI 9