Pubdate: Thu, 06 Sep 2012
Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.thesudburystar.com/letters
Website: http://www.thesudburystar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608
Author: Harold Carmichael
Page: 2

POT SMOKER TO APPEAL SIU DECISION

Jamy McKenzie isn't happy with the decision by the province's Special
Investigations Unit to stop its investigation into his complaint that
he was roughed up by Greater Sudbury Police officers.

McKenzie said he was injured after he lit up a joint of marijuana
outside the Sudbury Courthouse last month.

"I'm waiting for information from my liver (transplant) team,"
McKenzie, 27, said in an interview outside the courthouse Wednesday,
just before making his first court appearance on a charge of simple
possession of marijuana.

"My fifth and sixth ribs on the right side are broken and I'm still
waiting for tests on my hernia."

The SIU investigates incidents in which members of the public are
seriously hurt or killed and police are involved.

McKenzie, who had a date of Sept. 19 set for his next court
appearance, said once he gets all of his test results together, he
plans on contacting the SIU to ask that the investigation into his
complaint be re-opened.

In a news release, the SIU said a preliminary investigation showed
McKenzie did not sustain serious injuries.

McKenzie, who said he had a liver transplant six months ago, was
accompanied by a handful of supporters during his court appearance.

"I don't understand why I got charged in the first place," he said,
prior to setting the date. "I plan on using my right to stand trial."

McKenzie looked much better physically Wednesday than when he was
charged Aug. 10. McKenzie was charged during a break in the sentencing
hearing of a friend, David Sylvestre, who had pleaded guilty to
production of a controlled substance (mar ijuana and cannabis resin).

Sylvestre, who said he grows and smokes marijuana to deal with the
effects of severe diabetes, received a 10-month conditional sentence
(house arrest).

McKenzie has said he has a permit to smoke marijuana for medical
purposes to ameliorate conditions, that include metabolic myopathy,
liver failure, and cystic fibrosis.
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