McCormick and McWilliams
Plead Guilty to Avoid Ten Year Minimums.
McCormick Reserves Right To Medical Necessity Defense.
Sentencing Set for February 28.
November 19, 1999LOS ANGELES - Todd McCormick and Peter
McWilliams pleaded guilty Friday to one count of "conspiracy to manufacture and
distribute marijuana," according to Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's
office.
Earlier this month Judge George King ruled that McCormick, 29, and McWilliams, 50, could
not use ''medical necessity'' as a defense.
See
Judge Rules Against
Medical Necessity Defense For McCormick and McWilliams
There Cannot Be Even a Mention of Medical Marijuana! Defies 9th Circuit Ruling.
Press Release From McCormick and McWilliams
McCormick agreed to five years in prison and the right to raise the
medical necessity issue with the appellate court.
See
A Major Disaster For
Marijuana Prohibition in Oakland
– Federal Appeals Court Rules For Medical Necessity Defense
McWilliams faces up to five years with no appeal rights.
Sentencing for both men was set for Feb. 28.
(Marijuananews note: The fact that the government agreed to such a
deal, when all of the preliminary rulings had gone their way, indicates that they were not
looking forward to all of the bad publicity that the trial would bring.
If the 9th Circuit refuses to hear the
government’s appeal of the Oakland ruling then Todd will be back in court soon. If
they agree to hear it, it could take months before they rule.
Whatever the ultimate outcome of this case and for these
individuals, the struggle for freedom goes on. The movement to free them will begin even
before they are locked up.
With all of their power, this is the worst that the government
could do. The terrorists are losing their nerve.)
Supported