Pubdate: Thu, 25 Nov 1999
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 1999 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: Nik Green

MARIJUANA GROWERS

Re "Activists Plead Guilty to Drug Charges," Nov. 20

By denying all effective avenues of defense to marijuana activists Todd
McCormick and Peter McWilliams, U.S District Court Judge George H. King
makes a public mockery of the justice system and its widely perceived view
of fairness. 

Judge King may as well take this process to its preordained conclusion by
saving the public expense of what will doubtless be a kangaroo trial and
ordering the two defendants immediately arrested and jailed by default. 

One has to ponder which factors are at work to result in a judge making the
(extraordinary) decision of essentially rendering his own courtroom redundant.

Nik Green, Isla Vista 

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