Lady Justice and the Pharaoh's Curse by Thornhill Robert

Author:Thornhill, Robert [Thornhill, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-05-28T04:00:00+00:00

Clark Benson came before the jury for his closing argument with his hat in his hand. I actually felt sorry for the guy. He had been sandbagged and handcuffed from the very beginning.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I would like to preface my remarks with an apology. Sometimes rational thought is overcome by the ambitions of powerful men. That has certainly been the case the last two days. Medical marijuana was never supposed to be on trial in this courtroom. That is a matter better left to our Senators and Representatives in Jefferson City. Until that matter is settled, the use and possession of marijuana for any purpose in the State of Missouri is illegal.

“It is an undisputed fact that 41 live marijuana plants and 35 grams of processed marijuana were found in the possession of Ralph and Doris McDonald. That simple fact should have been the focus of this trial.

“Undoubtedly you have felt sympathy or at the least empathy for the defendants. That, of course, has been Ms. Romero’s intention throughout this trial. As honest, hard-working and down-to-earth as the McDonalds may appear to be, that should have no bearing on the verdict that you bring today.

“You have each taken an oath to uphold the law. The McDonalds have admitted breaking the law. The only possible verdict you can bring today is ‘guilty.’ ”

Benson took his seat and Romero took her place before the jury.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in my opening remarks, I asked you to consider two things. One had to do with the value of marijuana as a valid treatment for disease. I only raised that point because of the direction that the prosecution’s case had taken. After hearing Mr. Benson’s apology to the court, I am in complete agreement that judging the merits of the drug had no place in this trial.

“The second point that I asked you to consider was whether the penalty that could be imposed if you render a guilty verdict fits the crime you heard about the last two days.

“Mr. McDonald was growing a few plants in his basement to treat his medical condition. He never sold what he grew nor did it ever leave his own home. If we were in 21 other states in this great nation, we wouldn’t even be here today because what Mr. McDonald was doing is perfectly legal there.

“You’ve seen Mr. and Mrs. McDonald and heard him testify. Are you prepared to render a verdict that could incarcerate them for up to three years with hardened criminals convicted of heroin possession?

“Mr. Benson made the point that the law is the law, no matter whether we believe it is right or just, and if it’s broken, the verdict must always be guilty. Yet, the actions of the office that he represents makes a mockery of that statement.

“Selective enforcement occurs when the office of the District Attorney arbitrarily makes the decision to prosecute one crime and look the other way when a different crime is committed.

“Just a few months ago, an organ trader ring was operating in our city.

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