ARON KAY
2006-09-10 22:38:20 UTC
FEDS HARASSING ED ROSENTHAL(author of Marijuana Growers Guide)
As you know I was placed on trial in 2003 for providing marijuana starter
plants to medical marijuana distribution centers. The exact charges were
manufacture, providing a place to manufacture and conspiracy. The jury found
me guilty.
Within four days of the trial eight of the jurors repudiated the verdict.
They had learned the whole truth and told the media that they felt that they
had been used and worse. One of the jurors revealed that she had consulted a
lawyer about the trial while she was a juror.
After considering all the facts of the case the judge sentenced me to one
day in prison, time served. I appealed the conviction on three grounds:
improper actions by the juror, the fact that I was a city officer should
have exempted me from prosecution under federal law and that even if I was
not protected I had been led to believe I was by proper authorities.
The 9th circuit reversed the conviction on the basis of improper actions by
the juror and held that I could be re-tried. On August 30 the judge held a
status hearing and ruled that according to law the trial must start by the
end of October. In addition, this time I will be tried with three
co-defendants. Two of those people were subpoenaed by a grand jury and have
refused to testify.
This is an extremely important case for the government. They hope that a win
here against me will give them a pass to attack all providers functioning
under the California Medical Law, then they will move on to decimate
progress made in the other states with medical marijuana laws. As you
probably know, the federal authorities closed all of the medical facilities
in San Diego. If we win it will be a major setback for the government's
efforts to contain the medical marijuana phenomenon.
Our success, not guilty verdicts, will send a message to the government that
the public will not tolerate federal interference in the state medical
program.
I am attempting to assemble the legal team now. Each of the four of us is
interviewing attorneys and we are planning a joint legal strategy.
As you probably guessed I am writing to you seeking funding for this very
costly trial. The last trial, which cost over $350,000, used up most of my
savings and a good part of my company's working capital. It left me in a
critical, vulnerable position financially. I don't have the money to finance
a trial for myself and my co-defendants are in worse positions than I am. We
expect the trial to cost around $500,000.
Could you help us finance this trial so that we can protect medical
marijuana users throughout the country?
Since my finances are depleted I don't have the funds to mount the defense
my co-defendants and I require. Unless we can raise money very quickly we
will be left to federal public defenders.
We are trying to recruit qualified attorneys to work at a reduced rate. Even
if they do they will need funds for various court expenses as well as
publicity. This is a critical moment and I am reaching out to my friends, to
political activists and to all who have voiced concern about this issue as
well as my well being. Please help the four of us fight these laws. Give us
the tools so we can win this battle.
You have shown great courage in being so outspoken about marijuana. I'm sure
you understand the importance of this case. Perhaps some of your friends who
are not so outspoken could also help.
Any gifts to Green-Aid, The Marijuana Legal Defense and Education Fund are
tax deductible. It is a 501.(c)3 non-profit corporation.
Thank you for reading this and for your consideration. I welcome all ideas
and referrals.
Yours truly,
Ed Rosenthal
Green Aid - Postal Mail Box 172, 484Lake Park Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Online www.green-aid.com
My phone 510-290-5993.
----------------------------------------------------------------- ARON
PIEMAN KAY- BONGS NOT BOMBS! NO TO DUMBYA'S RAW DEAL! http://www.pieman.org
KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE!
__________________________________________________
As you know I was placed on trial in 2003 for providing marijuana starter
plants to medical marijuana distribution centers. The exact charges were
manufacture, providing a place to manufacture and conspiracy. The jury found
me guilty.
Within four days of the trial eight of the jurors repudiated the verdict.
They had learned the whole truth and told the media that they felt that they
had been used and worse. One of the jurors revealed that she had consulted a
lawyer about the trial while she was a juror.
After considering all the facts of the case the judge sentenced me to one
day in prison, time served. I appealed the conviction on three grounds:
improper actions by the juror, the fact that I was a city officer should
have exempted me from prosecution under federal law and that even if I was
not protected I had been led to believe I was by proper authorities.
The 9th circuit reversed the conviction on the basis of improper actions by
the juror and held that I could be re-tried. On August 30 the judge held a
status hearing and ruled that according to law the trial must start by the
end of October. In addition, this time I will be tried with three
co-defendants. Two of those people were subpoenaed by a grand jury and have
refused to testify.
This is an extremely important case for the government. They hope that a win
here against me will give them a pass to attack all providers functioning
under the California Medical Law, then they will move on to decimate
progress made in the other states with medical marijuana laws. As you
probably know, the federal authorities closed all of the medical facilities
in San Diego. If we win it will be a major setback for the government's
efforts to contain the medical marijuana phenomenon.
Our success, not guilty verdicts, will send a message to the government that
the public will not tolerate federal interference in the state medical
program.
I am attempting to assemble the legal team now. Each of the four of us is
interviewing attorneys and we are planning a joint legal strategy.
As you probably guessed I am writing to you seeking funding for this very
costly trial. The last trial, which cost over $350,000, used up most of my
savings and a good part of my company's working capital. It left me in a
critical, vulnerable position financially. I don't have the money to finance
a trial for myself and my co-defendants are in worse positions than I am. We
expect the trial to cost around $500,000.
Could you help us finance this trial so that we can protect medical
marijuana users throughout the country?
Since my finances are depleted I don't have the funds to mount the defense
my co-defendants and I require. Unless we can raise money very quickly we
will be left to federal public defenders.
We are trying to recruit qualified attorneys to work at a reduced rate. Even
if they do they will need funds for various court expenses as well as
publicity. This is a critical moment and I am reaching out to my friends, to
political activists and to all who have voiced concern about this issue as
well as my well being. Please help the four of us fight these laws. Give us
the tools so we can win this battle.
You have shown great courage in being so outspoken about marijuana. I'm sure
you understand the importance of this case. Perhaps some of your friends who
are not so outspoken could also help.
Any gifts to Green-Aid, The Marijuana Legal Defense and Education Fund are
tax deductible. It is a 501.(c)3 non-profit corporation.
Thank you for reading this and for your consideration. I welcome all ideas
and referrals.
Yours truly,
Ed Rosenthal
Green Aid - Postal Mail Box 172, 484Lake Park Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Online www.green-aid.com
My phone 510-290-5993.
----------------------------------------------------------------- ARON
PIEMAN KAY- BONGS NOT BOMBS! NO TO DUMBYA'S RAW DEAL! http://www.pieman.org
KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE!
__________________________________________________