Pubdate: Thu, 12 Aug 1999
Source: U.S. Newswire
Copyright: 1999, U.S. Newswire
Related: http://www.kubby.com/

PLACER COUNTY, CALIF., SHERIFF'S DEPT. INITIATES FORFEITURE OF KUBBY ASSETS
AFTER PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS 

AUBURN, Calif., Aug. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following Tuesday's grant of a
continuance in the medical marijuana trial of Steve and Michele Kubby due
to complications with Mrs. Kubby's pregnancy, Placer County law enforcement
officials are moving to seize the couple's assets. 

According to Truckee Attorney Dale Wood, who represents Mr. Kubby, Placer
County Deputy Sheriff Michael Lyke telephoned today to discover where he
could serve the Kubbys with papers to initiate civil asset forfeiture
proceedings. On Tuesday, Judge Robert G. Vonasek found good cause that
Michele Kubby, 33, could not proceed to trial for medical reasons. He ruled
to continue the trial to Feb. 15, 2000, over the objection of prosecutors. 

Michele Kubby's medical condition stems from complications with her current
pregnancy. Last fall, while her husband was the Libertarian Party candidate
for governor in California, she suffered a miscarriage. 

According to Wood, law enforcement officials are moving to claim as their
own $2,374 in currency, one digital camera, and one computer, which
officers seized from the Kubbys on Jan. 19. Earlier the Kubbys had moved to
take possession of their computer for an independent examination to see if
law enforcement officials had tampered with the evidence. 

"It's absolutely unbelievable that the sheriff and district attorney want
to take this kind of retribution against Steve and Michele Kubby right
after two medical doctors found her condition so dire as to persuade Judge
Vonasek to postpone the trial," said attorney Wood. 

"This shows the heavy political motivation behind this prosecution," said
Steve Kubby. "What kind of human being goes after a pregnant woman facing
serious medical problems with this kind of behavior?" asked Kubby, adding,
"'to serve and protect' cannot be the motto for law enforcement types in
Placer County." 

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