Grand Jury Will Not Reconvene Defendants to Appear With New Counsel Sept 24th

San Francisco, CA September 13, 2006 -- Ed Rosenthal and Richard Watts appeared before Judge Charles Breyer in U.S. District Court in a status conference to determine who will represent them in their upcoming trial for medical cannabis felonies, but perhaps the most significant development was that a grand jury will not reconvene in their case.

Supervisors Chris Daly and Ross Mirkarimi spoke the crowd of thirty patients in support of Ed and against the federal government misguided medical cannabis policies.  Other speakers included: Aimiee Allison, Green Party candidate, Julian Davis who read a letter of support from State Assemblyperson Mark Leno, John form VCAN, Showna Gochenaur from Axis of Love, Clark Sullivan from HempEvolution.org and Sonjia the Hemptrez.

Mr. Rosenthal also spoke to the crowd on two occasions about his determination to prevail in his case against the federal government and how was willing to go to the Court of Appeals, even if it meant his retrial.

Bill Simpich represented Ed and a Public Defender named Ms. Faulk was Rick's Counsel for this appearance. Judge Breyer castigated the defense counsel when they asked that time not be waived.  Breyer was obviously perturbed as he asked if they were lawyers several times.

 

Asst. U.S. Attorney George Bevan Jr. ["Mr. Marijuana for the government"] kept pointing out he had no one to talk from either defendants' counsel.  He also said  he would make available documents related for a motion for discovery.

Rosenthal and Watts are ordered to appear with counsel at 10 AM, Wednesday, September 27, 2006.  Mr. Watts was also ordered to appear on Friday, September 15th before a Magistrate Judge to have counsel appointed to him by the Federal Public Defender's Office.

Axis of Love and Hemp Evolution would like thank all those who showed up and send out special thanks to State Assemblyperson Mark Leno, Supervisors Daly and Mirkarimi for their continued support for medical cannabis patients' rights.