Joe Fortt was sentenced this week

From: "Vanessa Nelson" <vanessa at crazybrain.org>
Date: Tue, March 6, 2007 6:26 pm

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Appearing in federal court in a wheelchair yesterday, former Bakersfield
dispensary owner Joseph Fortt was sentenced to 21 months in jail.

It was intended to be a sentence of time served, but since Joe has been
incarcerated for only 19.5 months, the discrepancy became a matter of
courtroom argument yesterday.

During the hearing, defense attorney Daniel Harralson requested to have the
sentence reduced by six weeks in order for Joe to be immediately transferred
to the custody of immigration authorities and await his deportation to
Canada.

The prosecution staunchly opposed the request, claiming it had already been
lenient enough with the defendant. The judge agreed, reminding the court of
the seriousness of violating federal drug laws.

Harralson also asked for transfer to a facility with better health
conditions than those at Fresno County Jail, so that Joe could more safely
serve out the remainder of his sentence.

Joe just recently underwent a month-long hospital stay to treat a severe
lung infection he developed while incarcerated.

In spite of a moving plea from the visibly ill defendant, Judge Anthony
Ishii ultimately held to the recommended 21 month term and thereby sent Joe
back to Fresno County Jail to wait for his sentence to time out.

To read the full story, including Joe's statement to the court, go to
https://medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/52/60/