Eric Volz

In 2004, journalist Eric Volz moved to Nicaragua and launched EP Magazine, a successful, full-color bilingual publication focusing on conscious living, cross-cultural understanding, and sustainable development. His work with this project continued until November 2006 when he was falsely accused and wrongfully convicted for the rape and murder of his ex-girlfriend Doris Jiménez, and consequently sentenced to a 30-year prison term. After spending over a year in the Nicaraguan Prison system, an appeals court overturned the conviction and Volz was released in December of 2007.

Since his release, Volz filed a petition in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States, seeking a declaration of his innocence and protection under the American Convention on Human Rights from further persecution by the Government of Nicaragua. Although he is no longer behind bars, his case continues to test the role and authority of a supra-national tribunal with major potential to engage international policy discussions and subsequent reform.

He has been a guest on and featured in The Today Show, CNN, Telemundo and Univision, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, People, and NPR.

A dedicated journalist, Volz acknowledges a responsibility to utilize the lessons carried by his experience to generate education and potential reform. He is the author of Gringo Nightmare: A Young American Framed for Murder in Nicaragua.

Volz, a native of Northern California, holds a degree in Latin American Studies from the University of California-San Diego. Other university level studies include coursework at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico, and upper division coursework at Ponifica Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic.