CUG
12-22-2010, 12:07 PM
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/montana_jury_pool_stages_mutiny_over_pot_possessio.php
A prosecutor in Missoula County, Montana was forced to reach a plea agreement in a felony drug case after almost all 27 members of the jury pool said they would not convict the suspect for possessing such a small amount of marijuana.
Touray Cornell was arrested after a search of his house turned up used joints, a pipe, and pot residue. The search was prompted by neighbors complaining that he was allegedly selling drugs, which he reportedly admitted to in an affidavit.
According to <Beaumont Enterprise, Cornell's "criminal history includes numerous felony convictions." But none of this was enough for the potential jurors, who all told District Court Judge Dusty Deschamps that they would not convict him for the pot. "I thought, 'Geez, I don't know if we can seat a jury,'" Deschamps told the Missoulian.
He then called a recess, during which Deputy Missoula County Attorney Andrew Paul worked out a plea deal. Paul described the incident as "a mutiny." Even Cornell's own attorney was flummoxed, calling it "bizarre." "I think it's going to become increasingly difficult to seat a jury in marijuana cases, at least the ones involving a small amount," Deschamps said.
A prosecutor in Missoula County, Montana was forced to reach a plea agreement in a felony drug case after almost all 27 members of the jury pool said they would not convict the suspect for possessing such a small amount of marijuana.
Touray Cornell was arrested after a search of his house turned up used joints, a pipe, and pot residue. The search was prompted by neighbors complaining that he was allegedly selling drugs, which he reportedly admitted to in an affidavit.
According to <Beaumont Enterprise, Cornell's "criminal history includes numerous felony convictions." But none of this was enough for the potential jurors, who all told District Court Judge Dusty Deschamps that they would not convict him for the pot. "I thought, 'Geez, I don't know if we can seat a jury,'" Deschamps told the Missoulian.
He then called a recess, during which Deputy Missoula County Attorney Andrew Paul worked out a plea deal. Paul described the incident as "a mutiny." Even Cornell's own attorney was flummoxed, calling it "bizarre." "I think it's going to become increasingly difficult to seat a jury in marijuana cases, at least the ones involving a small amount," Deschamps said.