Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jan 2000
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053
Fax: (213) 237-4712
Website: http://www.latimes.com/
Forum: http://www.latimes.com/home/discuss/
Author: David Rosenweig, Times Staff Writer

BAIL REVOKED FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE

A federal magistrate revoked bail for medical marijuana advocate Todd 
McCormick on Wednesday, citing what he said was "clear and convincing 
evidence" that McCormick was smoking pot when he allegedly led a CHP 
officer on a 90-mph chase in November. But Judge James W. McMahon said he 
had no authority to rule on a prosecutor's motion to forfeit part of the 
$500,000 bail posted on behalf of McCormick by actor Woody Harrelson.

He said that question must be decided by U.S. District Judge George H. 
King, who is scheduled to sentence McCormick Feb. 28 on a separate drug 
conspiracy charge.

McCormick pleaded guilty in November to that charge, involving allegations 
that he was cultivating and intending to sell more than 4,000 marijuana 
plants at a rented Bel-Air mansion. In that case, McCormick had been barred 
from using California's medical marijuana initiative as a defense.

McCormick had been counting on King allowing him to remain free on bond 
after his sentencing while he appeals his conviction. Those hopes could now 
be dashed because of the magistrate's ruling Wednesday.

After a two-day hearing, McMahon found that McCormick, 29, violated several 
terms of his bail release.

A California Highway Patrol officer testified Tuesday that he chased 
McCormick for four miles on the Riverside Freeway in Orange County on Nov. 
21 before McCormick pulled over.

During the pursuit, the officer said, McCormick threw a small item out of 
the driver's window. It was not recovered. The officer said he also 
detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car during the roadside 
stop.

McCormick, who admitted that he did not have a driver's license, sped off, 
nearly knocking down the highway patrolman.

After a second chase, McCormick was arrested, booked at the Orange County 
Jail and released on his own recognizance. He was charged with three 
misdemeanors and two traffic infractions.

In his ruling Wednesday, McMahon said that Assistant U.S. Atty. Jacqueline 
Chooljian had established that the officer had probable cause to arrest 
McCormick, a ground for revoking his bail.

The magistrate said the evidence was even stronger that McCormick was 
smoking marijuana during the high-speed chase, endangering the lives of 
others as well as the highway patrolman.

McMahon issued a warrant for McCormick's arrest Dec. 15 as a result of the 
chase. But federal marshals were unable to locate him at Harrelson's Big 
Bear Lake home, which he had listed as his place of residence.
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