Pubdate: Thu, 16 May 2002
Source: Sault Star, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Sault Star
Contact:  http://www.saultstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1071
Author: Linda Richardson

LOCAL JUDGE DOESN'T BUY PLEA TO STAY DRUG CHARGES

A Sault Ste. Marie judge refused Wednesday to stay drug possession charges 
against a Wisconsin man who says he had the narcotics for religious purposes.

Generik Broderick, 42, asked the court to stay the three counts pending the 
outcome of an appeal of a Hamilton, Ont. case involving a fellow member of 
his church.

Broderick, of Mount Horeb, Wisc., was arrested March 14 when he tried to 
enter Canada at the International Bridge.

He was charged with possession of marijuana, ecstasy and LSD.

Broderick, who referred to himself as reverend brother, told Ontario Court 
Justice Wayne Cohen he is an ordained minister with the Assembly of the 
Church of the Universe.

His church considers marijuana a sacrament, he said, and uses the cannabis, 
and other two narcotics in religious ceremonies

Special prosecutor Marty Pawelek argued against the stay, saying the appeal 
of the other case is just in its preliminary stages and would not be heard 
by the federal court until 2003.

Describing it as a "very interesting situation,'' Cohen said he felt the 
case should go to trial as soon as possible.

A trial date will be set June 3.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens