New Court Date

New Court Date

Court: Mason vs. Karen Mower & John Reed
When
Tue, February 16, 11am – 12pm
Where
419 N 4th St, Shelton, WA 98584 (map)
Description
Mason County v. John Reed and Karen Mower - Mason County Courthouse - 419 N 4th St. - Shelton, WA 98584 - Case #08-1-00022-2 and #08-1-00018-4 2008 | MASON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

This is going to trial. Feb.16th will be the jury selection process and usually the trial will start the same day or the next day.
I'll be there. We need as many people as possible to show up and show your support. Wear clothing or buttons that show your support for MMJ patients. Hats are not allowed in the court room. They could really use our support.

What is going on at this hearing or a better question why are they being prosecuted? I'm not sure what is going on?

Husband and wife were arrested. Legal MMJ patients. They had a couple over the recommended plant limit of 15. In Washington there is no limit only guidelines that LEO trys to use. Everything was confiscated, case has been going on for over 2 years.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by killerweed420

Husband and wife were arrested. Legal MMJ patients. They had a couple over the recommended plant limit of 15. In Washington there is no limit only guidelines that LEO trys to use. Everything was confiscated, case has been going on for over 2 years.

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Probably dragged out to after that ridiculous SCOWA decision. I hope a jury of their peers finds them not guilty. I can't make it. Gas and medicine are expensive anymore. :thumbsup:

I wish the best for them both, sadly I cannot make it in my car that far. If ya want too come too clark county and get me I will gladly go for moral support.

P.S. if they had THCF documents, they may lose if the ceo wrote a declaration about too much medicine wasn't covered by orvald because Mr. ceo said nope.:(

I believe it was THCF but not sure.
If you're in the Seattle area CDC usually has a van that they use to get people to Shelton.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by killerweed420

Husband and wife were arrested. Legal MMJ patients. They had a couple over the recommended plant limit of 15. In Washington there is no limit only guidelines that LEO trys to use. Everything was confiscated, case has been going on for over 2 years.

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Thats bull and upsetting, unfortunatly this crap happens everyday. Gov has got to start using its resources on more important stuff.

Anybody going to be able to make it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jtsik330

Thats bull and upsetting, unfortunatly this crap happens everyday. Gov has got to start using its resources on more important stuff.

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they are... lining their pockets with prison stock profits. heaven forbid these morons actually work for a living.

meded so you can mededicate to mededitate

I'll be there tuesday and probably wednesday.
Try and make it if you can.

So what's the good word killerweed420 about todays trial.?

Tuesday just ended up being another pretrial hearing. The trial is now slated to start in March but no date yet. Been pretty hard to get accurate information, they seemed to be changing dates without much notice.

I wish the best for them and anyone who is a mmp but its probably a good idea to stick to the rules. These people who are having a few more than allowed are being foolish and greedy. They know the law but are not following it. It makes it hard on people who are cooperating with the law. At any rate I hope it all works out for them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ospray83

I wish the best for them and anyone who is a mmp but its probably a good idea to stick to the rules. These people who are having a few more than allowed are being foolish and greedy. They know the law but are not following it. It makes it hard on people who are cooperating with the law. At any rate I hope it all works out for them.

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Unfortunately, here in wa. regardless if your following the rules or not, the state will charge you because the law allows it #1, and they want caselaw to work against patients, just as in the fry case which just came down from the high state court. I mtself was following the laws and got charged for 9.59 grams, so maybe the state needs to stick to the rules and hands off us all for a damn plant.:thumbsup:

Latest update for the trial from CDC. I'll be there. If any of you can make it please show up.
Mason County v. Mower/Reed - Tuesday, March 30th @ 9:00 a.m.


Karen Mower is a terminally ill medical marijuana patient. Her husband John Reed is an authorized patient as well. In January 2008, the Mason County Sheriff's "Special Operations Group" raided their home garden, seizing 38 flowering plants and 36 immature plants.

The Mason County Sheriff issued a press release announcing the raid in which they estimate each plant would produce one pound of dried pot. The press release states that both defendants are medical marijuana patients, but "the amount of product found by deputies clearly exceeded the amount the couple was authorized to possess." See: 2008 | MASON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Their case has been dragging on, and is finally going to jury selection. Please consider spending a day in Shelton to observe this trial. Doug Hiatt is the defense attorney. Michael Dorcey is the prosecutor. Interestingly, Dorcey has filed to run for Mason County Prosecutor.
What: Mason County v. Karen Mower and John Reed
When: Tuesday, March 30th @ 9:00 a.m.
Where: Mason County Courthouse, 419 N 4th St. in Shelton
Map: 419 N 4th St 98584 - Google Maps

so,,does anyone know the limit in arkansas ???newbie here

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ctryboy60

so,,does anyone know the limit in arkansas ???newbie here

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Not yet I don't, is this a medical marijuana state? news to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by killerweed420

Latest update for the trial from CDC. I'll be there. If any of you can make it please show up.
Mason County v. Mower/Reed - Tuesday, March 30th @ 9:00 a.m.


Karen Mower is a terminally ill medical marijuana patient. Her husband John Reed is an authorized patient as well. In January 2008, the Mason County Sheriff's "Special Operations Group" raided their home garden, seizing 38 flowering plants and 36 immature plants.

The Mason County Sheriff issued a press release announcing the raid in which they estimate each plant would produce one pound of dried pot. The press release states that both defendants are medical marijuana patients, but "the amount of product found by deputies clearly exceeded the amount the couple was authorized to possess." See: 2008 | MASON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Their case has been dragging on, and is finally going to jury selection. Please consider spending a day in Shelton to observe this trial. Doug Hiatt is the defense attorney. Michael Dorcey is the prosecutor. Interestingly, Dorcey has filed to run for Mason County Prosecutor.
What: Mason County v. Karen Mower and John Reed
When: Tuesday, March 30th @ 9:00 a.m.
Where: Mason County Courthouse, 419 N 4th St. in Shelton
Map: 419 N 4th St 98584 - Google Maps

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It will be a shock to see doug not get both of them convicted. As for the numbers being a pound per plant...well if doug wasn't as arrogant as he is, he would already of gotten the info. of how much our state claims pot plants harvest indoors....it ain't no pound.

Here is why they said a pound per plant, this team which raided them is DEA based,(see the contracts on NEC420. cannabis law section.) all personnel involved must follow DEA regulations and rules. The DEA regs and rules mandate a marijuana plant is capable of producing a minimum of 1 lb. per plant....doug should be able to beat them. But, then again, when did he win at trial last.???

Ah, the law says the amount of plants at that time they got busted, was ??????????? Surly not 15. Is Orvald the dr.??? if so, holy shit goes another test case.

Hello?

If the case is two years old, wasn't the 15 plant limit established long after their arrest? How is it relevant?

The amounts won't mayyer because Karen is very sick and I'm sure she will be able to prove in court her medical neccesity. There's more of a back story here too like the case of Michael Howard, the one that was killed in Pierce County and the sheriff doesn't care. John and Karen have been a target for a long time and have already been harrassed quite a few times before.
Doug has been too laid back on this case, in my opinion. But then he may know something I don't and was hoping to just get the case thrown out.
We'll see. It should be an interesting trial and could be a pivotal case in Mason County.

I have tremendous compassion for anyone who is persecuted by law enforcement. Even so, 74 plants is a little hard to justify, even with 2 people. I'm not even talking about the 15 plant guideline that came AFTER they were arrested.

I was visited by Westnet in 2008. I wasn't even charged, because I had 9 plants and a valid authorization. They said I could have even had 27 (9 cuts, 9 veg, and 9 flowering) and still been fine, but 37 plants per person is just reckless, arrogant, and puts a black mark on our whole community.

I wish them the best, God knows that there is enough suffering in this world WITHOUT wishing more of it on sick people. Still, there is nothing in the world powerful enough to get me to show up in support of these people.

Don't want to get arrested? Follow the law and stay out of dramatic places where the police can identify you!

I think Doug is still a good attorney but as a defendent you really need to be involved in the case to make sure you're aware of eveything going on in the case. If you're not motivated the attorney won't be.

Was in court today. Trial seems to be going pretty well, Doug's doing a good job, got a little heated there for a little bit.lol
Be back there tomorrow morning at (. John and Karen's doctor is supposed to testify tomorrow,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZionsLion

I have tremendous compassion for anyone who is persecuted by law enforcement. Even so, 74 plants is a little hard to justify, even with 2 people. I'm not even talking about the 15 plant guideline that came AFTER they were arrested.

I was visited by Westnet in 2008. I wasn't even charged, because I had 9 plants and a valid authorization. They said I could have even had 27 (9 cuts, 9 veg, and 9 flowering) and still been fine, but 37 plants per person is just reckless, arrogant, and puts a black mark on our whole community.

I wish them the best, God knows that there is enough suffering in this world WITHOUT wishing more of it on sick people. Still, there is nothing in the world powerful enough to get me to show up in support of these people.

Don't want to get arrested? Follow the law and stay out of dramatic places where the police can identify you!

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I think your a very smart person but, I think you have forgotten Mr. Olsen had 4o something plants in kitsap county and won his case. so for 1 person to have already proven this so called high amount of plants is the underpinning of this case as far as amounts being normal for a 60-day supply of this particular patient....it seems you must be forgetting we are all different in our relief levels.....it may have been swag vs. chronic strains they had which means the alleviating contents of the plant would be lower and require more intake for uptake...

Saying it fumes the black market issues is so far off base....I don't believe they are even related being no-one has claimed any hand to hand sales... and making such a claim without documented sales is again so far off base but, a liability cover-up excuse of officers doing wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DankDragon

Are you saying Hiatt is not an effective lawyer? I would really like your opinion. I was thinking of hiring him.

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If you wish to give your money away, my hand is out and just as much as hiatts will be. yes he is ineffective as I have ever seen and had an opportunity too watch fuck shit up that is so simple to win....

Hire Aaron Pelley in seattle. You could never go wrong with him, he is a proven winner on every MMJ case he has done....got hiatts winning records??? can you find any?? or are you impressed with a loud mouth???

Your call but, don't say I didn't warn you...I have know this guy since 2004 and followed him like glue....I even filed a bar complaint against him and steinborn...along with the guy he defrauded....I got the records......

Good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by killerweed420

Was in court today. Trial seems to be going pretty well, Doug's doing a good job, got a little heated there for a little bit.lol
Be back there tomorrow morning at (. John and Karen's doctor is supposed to testify tomorrow,

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Who is the doctor?

Dr. Carter is his main doctor but he has gone through about 4 others because they were illegally putting amount of medicine or an expiration date on the authorizations. The date issue isn't particularly bad because it means nothing, the plant or ounce amount is illegal for 2 reasons. Because the state does not allow it in there laws and the main reason is because a doctors prescription rights are not granted by the state but by rhe DEA. So because its federal he can not right an amount on the recommendation because it constitutes a prescription.
I am amazed at Dr. Carter. Had a chance ot watch him testify today and he is an absolutely unimpeachable expert in all aspects cannabis medicinal benefits, botany and growing. He's a practicin Professor at the UW and has 2 practices. He is on the forefront of cannabis medical research and has posted numerous pere reviewed papers in medical journals. And the best thing is, he is the true MMJ expert that is willing to testify on any of the subjects in court. And it looks like he'll be around and involved for the long term.

Was in court again today. All testimony is done and just closing statements will be made tomoorow and then goes to the jury.
Both defendents testified which kind of shocked me but both did very well, particularly to Karen who obviously severly ill and isn't expected to live much longer.
Doug Hiatt did an excellent job today as well as his co-attorney Ron Sergie. I've seen Ron work in a few other cases and was not too impressed but he has done very well in the case to keep there side focused.
Dr. Carter's testimony was absoultely crucial in this case, he was very articulate at explaining all thye different medical issues with MMJ.
Will be back there tomorrow to hopefully hear the jury acquit. I am of the opinion that they will not get an acquital but will get a hung jury. And then we'll have to see if the prosecutor decides to refill which would probably mean Karen won't live to see the end of the case.

Well the jury went to deliberation on this case this morning and reached there decision at 4:20. We all thought that was pretty funny including the prosecutor.
Both John and Karen were convicted of Manufacture of a controlled substance and were aquitted on intent to distribute. But the manufacture charge is still a felony. According to Michael Dorcey he's not going to push for any jail time for Karen because she is very ill, but John may have to do some time. No decision has yet been made about filling an appeal but it sounds like there probably will be one.
The manufacture charge comes as a result of our good old docs in a box writing on the authorizations how much MJ constitutes a 60 day supply, which is illegal for doctors to do because they are not legally authorized to prescribe, only to recommend. We were all hoping this was going to be a defining case for Mason County but it appears someone else will have to be persecuted before we a defining case can be done.
Both attorneys, Doug Hiatt and Ron Sergei did an excellent job of presenting the case and Dr. Gregory Carter is an excellent expert witness in this case.
I wish to thank the dozen or so people that showed up for the trial. I really wish we could have filled the courtroom but people have things to do that just don't allow them to take time off of work to be able get involved.
Probably in the end the legalizing intiative is going to be our best bet to end the persecution, but the problem is in Washington the legislature can mutilate the intiative after 2 years which is exactly what has happened with our first intiative. If they had left that intiative alone the chances are John and Karen would never have been put through this ordeal.

So I think I called it on point in this case. Hiatt again messed up a simple MMj case. 1) State v. Fry specifically states the presentment is for an Aff. Def., not for an officer to decide but, a jury. This is so simple to present by motion...then to the jury...did this happen? NOPE.

I didn't read anything about them being denied an Aff. Def., so one would presume from what the cdc has posted, HIATT fucked up again...if they was denied the defense then the court fucked up...my bet is hiatt screwed the pooch on this one. AGAIN.:(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamessr

So I think I called it on point in this case. Hiatt again messed up a simple MMj case. 1) State v. Fry specifically states the presentment is for an Aff. Def., not for an officer to decide but, a jury. This is so simple to present by motion...then to the jury...did this happen? NOPE.

I didn't read anything about them being denied an Aff. Def., so one would presume from what the cdc has posted, HIATT fucked up again...if they was denied the defense then the court fucked up...my bet is hiatt screwed the pooch on this one. AGAIN.:(

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No they used the affirmative defense for the arguement, why else would a MMJ patient be in court?
There is no automatic win in court no matter what the case is. The single most important factor in any court case is the jury and I knew the defendent wasn't going to win this case but I really thought we would atleast have a hung jury. The single deciding factor, and we didn't know this till the jury re-entered the courtroom with there verdict, was the jury foreman. While most everyone thought this guy was going to be pro-defense because he had a ponytail and beard, I knew he was trouble. I had sat on a jury prior with him and he's a big law and order and absolutely follows the rules. When he was announced as jury foreman I knew the defendents were screwed. None of these MMJ cases can be won unless atleast one juror understands the concept of jury nuullification and has the compassion to use that when its needed. I would say the biggest problem in the case was there should have been more evidence as to John and Karens medical neccesity for more than the guideline amount of 15 plants. And while there was lots of testimony about that issue, it should have been really hammered home.

well I am a medical marijuana patient and mine went before a jury also, yet I was denied my Aff. Def., I still had a jury trial, because I demanded one.....so I must say your incorrect on the jury issue and the Aff. Def. issue too reach a jury....I had NONE...straight I was guilty because I had marijuana in my possession, even though I had a valid authorization per statute 69.51A....it was a business owner in mine that won the case...which is not in our statute, now is it???

The real legal issue here is the attorney doing their job to get all the evidence before the jury, which shows more likely than not, a patient is valid, State v. Janes...if one piece is missing...da patient auto-matically loses....it is clearly obvious from what I have read from these posts, cdc info. and knowledge of washington state tactics in court....the lawyers failed their client...as usual from Douglas Hiatt...from my experience....:(

Name a case he has won??? or been part of that has won? I find NONE!!

cdc can only go upon what DH said too them....I read only excuses myself...sorry but, it is what it is...a joke.

The guy your describing was also the foreman in my trial....hmmm? Can you get dudes name please?? If he is da same dudue, well we just busted the state and courts for corrupting trials for us MMJ patients....wow, what a show that would be huh?

I just went through my trial lawyers files and all the names for my jury are missing..huh? WTF?? Now I am on high alert....please help find the names killerweed420...of their trial....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamessr

well I am a medical marijuana patient and mine went before a jury also, yet I was denied my Aff. Def., I still had a jury trial, because I demanded one.....so I must say your incorrect on the jury issue and the Aff. Def. issue too reach a jury....I had NONE...straight I was guilty because I had marijuana in my possession, even though I had a valid authorization per statute 69.51A....it was a business owner in mine that won the case...which is not in our statute, now is it???

The real legal issue here is the attorney doing their job to get all the evidence before the jury, which shows more likely than not, a patient is valid, State v. Janes...if one piece is missing...da patient auto-matically loses....it is clearly obvious from what I have read from these posts, cdc info. and knowledge of washington state tactics in court....the lawyers failed their client...as usual from Douglas Hiatt...from my experience....:(

Name a case he has won??? or been part of that has won? I find NONE!!

cdc can only go upon what DH said too them....I read only excuses myself...sorry but, it is what it is...a joke.

The guy your describing was also the foreman in my trial....hmmm? Can you get dudes name please?? If he is da same dudue, well we just busted the state and courts for corrupting trials for us MMJ patients....wow, what a show that would be huh?

I just went through my trial lawyers files and all the names for my jury are missing..huh? WTF?? Now I am on high alert....please help find the names killerweed420...of their trial....

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Not aware of all the cases Doug has been involved in, don't know how many he's won. Have known lots of defense attorneys and the vast majority are lucky to win a few over there careers. Its an unfair system. The prosecution likes to say the burden is on them to prove guilt buts they have all the money and resources and they are the only ones in the courtroom that can have a judge removed if they think they're being unfair.
I didn't say that the jury foreman was the jury foreman in the case I was involved in, he was just on the same jury. And a juror never knows the names of other jurors unless they will voluntarily tell you there names, they are only known by juror number. Which is the way its supposed to be. The judge goes to great lengths to try and protect jurors from harrassment.