 | NORML News: Roaring Lions Update |
 NORML News Summer 2002-3
Prohibitionist forces are destroying the lives of ordinary herb-folk and leaving their children to the mercy of hoodlums. But a small group of elite freedom fighters, the MLF Roaring Lions, dared to face the tyrants on their own turf... the Courts.
Ken Morgan In November 2001 Ken was caught green handed with a grow room full of finest organic. Ken, bravely representing himself, got a jury trial (17-18 November) and blamed the police informant. He hoped to appeal to any Trojan Horses in the mix, but Judge Lockhart reminded the Jury that Ken's informant was not the one on trial. He said they were bound to apply the letter of the law in their verdict, regardless of their sympathies. (This is not true, stand by for the next edition of NORML News, in which the thorny constitutional issue of jury activism will be discussed.) Lockhart then slew the Lion and told the Jury they would be "thickies" not to find Ken guilty. So duly intimidated, they did, and he now awaits sentencing in remand. The Jawa watched this whole drama unfold and although there was no victory, much has been learned about how to fight court battles, so we will be better prepared next time. Ken has vowed to continue fighting this unjust law, whether behind bars or not.
Judy and Chevy Matangi Victims of small town police harassment, this staunch couple were busted 3 Oct 2001 and charged with possession and cultivation. They have been to over 12 court appearances and delayed trial further when they questioned the validity of the search warrant and forced the Crown to look into it. Altogether they must have cost the courts thousands. They finally stood trial at Waihi District Court on 18 October 2002. Judy received no conviction and a warning. Chevy was found guilty on both counts, handed a one year suspended sentence and nominally fined for court costs at $130 a charge. Altogether a well fought battle and the Judge was clearly impressed.
Customs Calamity John and Daniela Setters are facing charges for importing books about marijuana and psychedelic plants, including the much sort after "Big Book of Buds". They were Victims of a random attack by Customs on the bases that the books had no classification. The "Big Book of Buds" is now banned in NZ.
Caged Lion Mark Smith was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for possession and cultivation and is trying to get his conviction overturned from behind bars. He is challenging the validity of the search powers used before his arrest. He is also demanding the return of goods stolen from him by the police during his arrest.
Roaring Lion Roll of Honour
Brodie Andrews: 1976, Sentence: Two months. Served: Six weeks. Mike Finlayson: 1991, Sentence: Seven days. Served: Five days. Les Grey: 1992, Sentence: $150. Paid by anonymous donor. Tahi Whatarau: 1993, Sentence: Four days. Served: Two days. Melanie Healy: 1993, Case dismissed. Darryl Hartley: 1993, Suspended sentence. Nick Petrasca: 1993, Sentence: Two weeks. Served: Five days. John Cocker: 1993, Discharged without fine. Mark Stone: 1993, Discharged without fine. Tui Roman: Case dismissed. John Tuakimoana: 1993, Sentence: One month PD. Served: nothing. Willie Von Konrat: Sentence: Two weeks. Served: One week. Garth Bishop: 1994, Suspended sentence. Chris Fowlie: 2002, Sentence: Not Guilty. Mike Harding: 2002, Sentence: Case dismissed. Bruce Thorpe: 2002, Sentence: Case dismissed.
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