Kalpoe Lawyer Threatens Lawsuit Against Natalee's Mom

ORANJESTAD, Aruba (CNN)-- A lawyer for one of the brothers released from an Aruban jail in the case of missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway threatened legal action Wednesday over comments by the missing student's mother.

Elgin Zeppenfeldt, an attorney for Satish Kalpoe, accused Beth Holloway Twitty of making "prejudicial, inflammatory, libelous and totally outrageous" statements.

"She called our client, Mr. Satish Kalpoe, a 'criminal,' 'involved in a violent crime against my daughter' and who is 'allowed to walk freely among the tourists and citizens,' " Zeppenfeldt said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

Twitty made the remarks at a news conference Tuesday amid increasing frustration that her 18-year-old daughter -- missing five weeks -- has not been found.

Zeppenfeldt said her statement was "uncalled for, especially since my client is maintaining his innocence."

"In the event that these unfounded public condemnations and allegations against Mr. Kalpoe are not immediately ceased, he will consider taking legal steps to ensure that the aforementioned will not be repeated," the lawyer said.

...Late Wednesday, the lawyer for Natalee Holloway's family said the comments reflected "a mother's desperation after weeks of trying to find her daughter. When emotion kicks in, reason kicks out."

Asked whether there would be an apology for Twitty's comments, attorney Vinda de Sousa told CNN: "I plan to speak with the family tomorrow, and that could be one of the options I might suggest."

"The family is obviously very upset by the release of the Kalpoe brothers. It is an emotional reaction fueled by desperation. They have no answers, and they feel answers will come from these three suspects," de Sousa said.

...Zeppenfeldt said the decision to free his client from jail was made by "an impartial judge, who ruled that the suspicions and legal grounds that led to his detention were no longer present."

"Under Aruban law, as is the case in all other civilized nations, a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," Zeppenfeldt said.

He acknowledged that Satish Kalpoe is still considered a suspect, despite his release, and said his client intends to continue to cooperate in the probe.

Zeppenfeldt said his client also resents Twitty's insinuation that he might leave the country, and "resents her plea to other nations not to give him a safe haven, as he does not intend to leave the island."

Twitty, the attorney said, has "publicly acted as judge, jury and executioner."

The Kalpoes' mother, Nadira Ramirez, told CNN Tuesday that the family canceled a planned vacation to Suriname so as not to give the impression that they were trying to flee.

On Tuesday, some Arubans showed their anger by protesting criticism of local officials and the way they have conducted the search and investigation. Zeppenfeldt said his client appreciated the support from island residents.

Earlier Wednesday, Aruba's Public Prosecutor's Office issued a statement saying it has appealed a judge's decision to free the Kalpoes. The office did not explain its reasons for the appeal.

I think it is fair to say that Beth Holloway Twitty's comments on Tuesday were harsh.

Still, it seems strange for Zeppenfeldt to be shifting the focus to attack Natalee's mom. The same goes for the islanders.

She called the Kalpoes "criminals." That's already been proven true. They've both obstructed justice and committed perjury.

As far as her claim that they were "involved in a violent crime" against her daughter, I guess that's technically correct as well. There is a wide spectrum of possible degrees of "involvement". The fact that the Kalpoes were among the last people to see her does connect them to the happenings of that night. Holloway Twitty didn't say they murdered or kidnapped Natalee, just that the Kalpoes were "involved".

Of course, she issued a plea to keep them on the island, at least to serve as witnesses, when she learned that the family was planning to go to Suriname. Nadira Ramirez changed those plans to avoid the appearance of taking flight.

Would they have left Aruba if Holloway Twitty hadn't held that news conference? It certainly is a possibiltiy.

The family's frustration with the incompetent Aruban officials boiled over yesterday.

Natalee's mom would never have made those comments if she was confident that the investigation was being handled properly and was proceeding in an effective manner.

To understand her remarks, one must consider the context--an utterly deficient and corrupt investigation into her daughter's disappearance.