Another Jury Revolts Against Marijuana Laws, "They felt marijuana should be legalized"

Source

Scott Morgan
Stop The Drug War

Jacob Sullum shares this incredible story from a defense attorney in Kansas:

I had a jury trial this morning on level 3 possession with intent MJ, level 4 possession drug paraphernalia and level 10 no drug tax stamp. During voir dire, my almost all white, middle-class, middle-aged jury went into full rebellion against the prosecutor stating that they wouldn't convict even if the client's guilt was proven beyond a reasonable doubt -- almost all of them! They felt marijuana should be legalized, what he does with it is his own business and that the jails are already full of people for this silly charge. Then, when the potential jurors found out that the State wanted him to pay taxes on illegal drugs, they went nuts. One woman from the back said how stupid this was and why are we even here wasting our time. A "suit" from the front said this was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard. The prosecutor ended up dismissing the case. Judge gave me a dismissal with prejudice. I'm still laughing my ass off over this one. I have NEVER seen a full on mutiny by an entire jury pool before. Easiest win ever!

In so many ways, the drug war's own exploding unpopularity is poised to become its downfall. Events like this aren't the norm (yet), but the mere threat of insurrection in the courtroom is already an important check against prosecutorial overreach in the war on drugs (in case you were wondering why so many medical marijuana raids never lead to criminal charges).

As the polls continue to turn in favor of reform, the refusal of juries to convict marijuana offenders could quickly become a brutal burden for these drug war boneheads to bear. It's about damn time.

Please visit StopTheDrugWar.org to support ending prohibition.

David Letterman - Roseanne Barr vs Obama

Don't mess with her medical marijuana! Roseanne Barr has a stern warning for President Obama.

A Sterile Area

http://www.iantomlinsonfamilycampaign.org.uk/

99,000 signatures needed for Petition against deaths in State custody (545 per year in UK) Please spread the word!!!!!

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26276%20

http://againstpoliceviolence.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/e-petition-launch-families-unite-for.html

Some of the previous coverage of the Ian Tomlinson case in The Limpet:

http://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/welcome-to-fascist-police-state.html

http://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/sports-day-with-met.html

http://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/calyptraea-chinensis.html

http://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/wwwagainstpoliceviolenceorguk.html

http://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/brennigenn-44.html

http://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/darkness-and-light.html

http://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/they-took-his-life.html

Jimmy Mubenga:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/15/jimmy-mubenga-scotland-yard-investigates?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jul/22/reliance-scrutiny-injuries?INTCMP=SRCH

Cisco Houston sings Woody Guthrie’s ‘Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos Canyon)’:

Police killings in Anaheim, California

http://www.activistpost.com/2012/07/new-level-of-police-depravity-on.html

http://www.activistpost.com/2012/07/more-chaos-in-anaheim-as-protest-grows.html

http://www.activistpost.com/2012/07/new-killing-and-suspicious-actions-by.html

Very bad news indeed – to be resisted at all costs…….

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/20/china-uk-nuclear-power-plants

One Love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roMuj6qSinE

Richard Dawkins on Psychedelics

Faye Sakellaridis

In this video, alternative historian and Reality Sandwich contributor Graham Hancock asks Richard Dawkins, famous anti-mystic and author of The God Delusion, about the possibility of psychedelics changing his view of reality. Dawkins responds thoughtfully about the prospect of trying LSD or mescaline, and speaks positively of those who have had the experience. Given Dawkins's reputation as a staunch atheist, his open-minded answer may surprise many of his critics.

Attack of the Alien Emmets

A swarm of alien emmets attack St Ives, Cornwall.

screened at Brief Encounters International Film Festival 2011
DepicT 2011 finalist

Walk Around Bonnaroo Via Radiohead’s Time-Lapse Music Video

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Wow this video will bring you right back to the farm in Manchester, Tennessee. The three minute time-lapse video expertly directed by Matt Ornstein is comprised of hundreds, if not thousands of pictures in a row to remind us of that familiar trek around Bonnaroo. You’re thrusted into the Radiohead show at the two minute mark, and its exhilarating with “The Daily Mail” soundtracking the journey.

RADIOHEAD’S FULL 2012 BONNAROO PERFORMANCE

Ascendance at the Ritz

...Messrs, Stetson, Wackem, Shoddy and Waft are proud to present...

...fresh from International acclaim (in Vogue and NME ) at the Port Elliot Festival, Vicky Abbott's the 50 Degrees (augmented by members from the Eden Choir) will be joining local beat combo the Ascension Plan this Friday 3rd August at the Ritz, Penzance...

...the massed choir will be opening the evening with a "dark" selection of songs taken from their contemporary repertoire...

...after a short intermission, the delightful Abbott/Birbeck and friends will be entertaining with a selection of favourites old new & blue...

...following another short pause for refreshments, the Ascension Plan will lead us into the second half of the show, featuring the guitar and vocal stylings of Martin Jackson (Ethatone, Quietly Torn), and the ethereal electric violin of the Waft (Eden's Ashes, Bates Motel) backed by solid rhythm engineers Gurt Wackem and Mungo Shoddy, late of Pablo Fanques Fair...

...described as "warm and unusual" the Plan will take us on a journey from a whisper to a scream, thru Love, Death and Rebirth with the massed choir returning for the epic last movement...

...Lightshow/Projections by WSW in association with Ben Mankin and ol' Steckfenster imself...