BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Crime 1 Joint Equals 2 Yr. Sentence

Martin Lawrence a soon to be 17 yr. old, who had just
completed his junior year of highschool, found himself
on the wrong end of the law.

He thought he was getting ready to sell a single joint
to a friend. Instead, it was an undercover cop.

This was the first time Martin had ever done this.
And, he didn't feel right about it. When, the
undercover officer tried to get him to do it again
Martin wouldn't.

Yet, months later he was being arrested from his home.
And, facing a mandatory 2 year minimum prison sentence.
He was convicted, there was no senior year in highschool
and the 18th birthday, well...

You can read more about his case by clicking
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42341.asp

Vicki L. Forte'
Bellaonline
Crime Editor

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you what 1 single joint
did to Jonathan Magbie, a 27 year old paralyzed man
from the neck down.

He was paralyzed from a childhood accident.
Magbie needed private nursing care, for at least
20 hrs. per day.

Jonathan was caught with 1 joint and the Judge wanted
to teach him a lesson, she sentenced him to 10 days
in jail. He had no prior arrests or charges, a clean record.

Of course his private nurse was not permitted in his
jail cell, nor could they give him the care he needed.

On his 4th day of incarceration he died.
Jonathan became dehydrated & contracted pneumonia.
This caused an acute respiratory failure.

I, personally despise drugs. However, I must be honest
and admit I do not question people with certain diseases
that choose to us it as a form of medicine.

My grandmother was a Cherokee Indian, they used it as
a natural healing herb, that came from the land.
She shared with me the many ways, they used this as
a medicine. My grandmother thought it was horrible the
way marijuana was being abused, but anyways...

I love to see drug dealers go to prison.
I wish they would get more of the King Pins.

Yet, I'm sorry I just can't jump up and down for
anyone who goes to prison on a 1 joint charge.

Vicki L. Forte'
Bellaonline
Crime Editor

They shouldn't send him to jail for 1 year for his first time of selling a drug. I meen yeah, it is bad. But i think the court could cut him some slack. I think from his expierence of selling his first one to a under cover cop he won't do it again, but i may be wrong.

Trisha,

I was hoping that you would respond to this post,
seeing as you are one of his peers - close in age.
I truly wanted your take and opinion on this.

The prosecutor admitted, that he knew this youngman wasn't a drug dealer,
BUT, once again the way the Law Was Written the Judge had no discretion
in lowering his sentence.

It called for a 2 year mandatory sentence.
So, sad - so sad.

Vicki L. Forte'
Bellaonline
Crime Editor <img src="/images/graemlins/easter.gif" alt="" />

Well atleast the prosecuter knows this kid isn't an avid drug dealer, a lot of teenagers do drugs once to try it, it just so happens that this kids first time was bad, which should make others realize this could happen to them. Sentencing him for 2 years would be good, just to teach him not to do it again. but having him in there for that long is stupid, i think. They should put him in jail for maybe 1 month or so, just for him to see what it would be/is like for people who's lives are drug dealing, but not for 2 years.

Amen, a lesson but my stars!
They could have even given him a year of community service.
Made him go to rehab centers and see what drugs will do.

2 stinking years - My Lord.

Vicki L. Forte'
Bellaonline
Crime Editor

I was just reading an article about this story, So they sentenced him to 2 years in prison?

Yup, 2 years in "prison" for 1 joint.

Deep ain't it.

Vicki L. Forte'
Bellaonline
Crime Editor