Rosenthal Denied New Trial

May 21, 2003

Mon, May 19, 2003

Federal U.S. District Judge Breyer last Friday denied a new trial for the

self-described " Guru of Ganja " Ed Rosenthal on marijuana cultivation charges

amid allegations of jury bias.

Rosenthal filed a motion for mistrial on the basis of jury members seeking

outside legal counsel regarding their rights as jurors. Mistrial was denied by

Breyer who decided to stick by federal laws that prohibit medical-marijuana

defense evidence in court and outlaw marijuana in any form, thereby making

Rosenthal guilty regardless of jury bias.

The marijuana advocate now faces spending the rest of his life in prison when

he's sentenced June 4.

During the highly publicized trial in February, evidence that Rosenthal was

growing medical marijuana under Proposition 215, a law approved by California

voters, and had been deputized by the city of Oakland to carry out that task,

was not allowed under federal law. Hours after the jury voted to convict

Rosenthal, the majority of them renounced their decision upon hearing of this

hidden evidence.

On June 4 protesters around the country will gather to demonstrate against the

validity of the Rosenthal trial, in particular the question of the will of

California voters and against conflicting federal drug law.

1) PROTEST IN SAN FRANCISCO: Join Americans for Safe Access for a rally and

street theatre at the SF Federal Courthouse starting at 1:15pm on the Turk St

side of the SF Federal Building (Larkin & Turk).

2) EDUCATE THE JURY POOL: Question the integrity of our justice system which

imprisons people acting legally under state laws. Stage a banner action outside

your local federal courthouse while jurors are coming in. Suggested message:

" Jurors: Acquit in All Pot Cases - It Could Be Medical - www.jurors.info "

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