LONG GROVE, IA — A man with terminal cancer of the blood vessels is being put on trial (along with his whole family) for growing marijuana plants that he used to ease his suffering. If he survives long enough to be convicted, he could face 3 years in prison, which he believes will be a certain death sentence.
As if the situation were not unjust enough, the defense team is being gagged from discussing in front of the jury the man's illness or the reason he was growing the marijuana.
“I’m not allowed to mention anything,” Mackenzie said Thursday, the day Judge Henry Latham’s ruling was filed. “I’m not allowed to give proof why I was using. Now, there is no fair trial.”
On July 7th, Mr. Mackenzie was rushed from the courtroom on a stretcher. The judge didn't allow the jury to see that either.
Terminally-ill man charged with felonies for treating himself with marijuana
[ Pictured: Benton Mackenzie and his 73-year-old parents, all charged in the so-called drug conspiracy. ]
How evil must a person be to support this?
As if the situation were not unjust enough, the defense team is being gagged from discussing in front of the jury the man's illness or the reason he was growing the marijuana.
“I’m not allowed to mention anything,” Mackenzie said Thursday, the day Judge Henry Latham’s ruling was filed. “I’m not allowed to give proof why I was using. Now, there is no fair trial.”
On July 7th, Mr. Mackenzie was rushed from the courtroom on a stretcher. The judge didn't allow the jury to see that either.
Terminally-ill man charged with felonies for treating himself with marijuana
[ Pictured: Benton Mackenzie and his 73-year-old parents, all charged in the so-called drug conspiracy. ]
How evil must a person be to support this?