Rosenthal update

Ed Rosenthal and Rick Watts were arraigned in federal court in San
Francisco today before Magistrate Larson. The government explained its
25-count indictment, which included charges of manufacture and
distribution of marijuana, maintaining a place for manufacture and
distribution, possession for the purpose of distribution, conspiracy,
money laundering, and tax evasion. Ken Hayes was named in the
indictment, but was not present for the arraignment. The three
defendants have different and overlapping charges. Each of them face
life in prison and millions of dollars in fines.

Both defendants present pleaded not guilty. The issue of bail was
continued until later in the week due to confusion around the original
bonds in the case and whether they are still standing. Regardless of the
bond status, the government is seeking $100,000 bond each for both
Rosenthal and Watts. There will be a bond hearing for Watts on Thursday,
October 19 at 9:30am, and a bond hearing for Rosenthal on Friday,
October 20 at 11:30am. Both hearings are before Magistrate Laporte in
San Francisco federal district court.

Today, Magistrate Larson scheduled the next status conference for
Rosenthal and Watts on Wednesday, October 25 at 2:15pm. That status
conference is before Judge Breyer, and will be the first proceeding
before Breyer regarding the new superseding indictment.

Kris


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Kris Hermes
Legal Campaign Director
Americans for Safe Access
http://www.SafeAccessNow.org
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-251-1856 x307
Fax: 510-251-2036
Email: kris [at] SafeAccessNow.org