Marijuana Dispensary Case Going To Trial

[bobandtorey]

NICOLE HAYDEN / TIMES HERALD

Protestors show their support for the Amsdill family outside of the St. Clair County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon. less 

 

Five people facing charges in a medical marijuana case that was dismissed in 2013 are heading to trial — unless they decide to take plea deals by Oct. 12.

 

Debra, James and Amanda Amsdill and Mark and Terra Sochacki were in Judge Cynthia Lane’s courtroom Wednesday for plea hearings.

 

While none accepted the offer, they have until Oct. 12 to reconsider. If no deals are accepted, they will go to trial Jan. 26.

 

The charges stemmed from a federal investigation and December 2011 raid on Blue Water Compassion Center facilities in St. Clair, Sanilac and Tuscola counties.

 

In a July 2013 court order, Lane dismissed charges ranging from conducting a criminal enterprise to conspiracy to deliver or manufacture marijuana. Michigan Attorney

 

General Bill Schuette appealed that ruling and the court of appeals ruled in December 2014 that Lane was wrong.

 

The Amsdills and Sochackis were accused of conspiring to aid or make possible the transfer of marijuana to patients who were not registered through the Michigan

 

Medical Marihuana Act registry.

 

Debra and James Amsdill were each offered a chance to plead guilty to conducting a criminal enterprise, with the dismissal of the delivery of marijuana and conspiracy to

 

deliver marijuana charges.

Amanda Amsdill was offered the chance to plead to conspiracy to deliver marijuana, with the dismissal of maintaining a criminal enterprise charge.

 

The plea offers made to the Amsdills are felony charges, punishable up to 20 years in prison.

 

Mark and Terra Sockacki were offered the chance to plead guilty to attempted delivery of marijuana, a high misdemeanor, with the dismissal of the delivery and

 

manufacturing of a controlled substance charges.

 

The plea offers made to the Sockackis are high misdemeanors, treated like felonies, and punishable by up to two years in prison.

 

If the Amsdills or Sochackis decide to take a deal, a hearing will be held Oct. 12 in front of Lane. An evidentiary hearing is set for Nov. 24. 

 

Prior to the hearing about 30 protesters stood outside of the St. Clair County Courthouse to protest the continuation of the case.

 

They carried signs with messages such as “leave the Amsdills alone.”

 

The protestors filed into the courtroom and filled the benches as the hearing began to show their support for the defendants.

 

Rick Thompson, MI Legalize board member and protester from Flint, said he believed the attorney general should have been respectful of the original decision from the

 

 

lower courts instead of appealing the ruling last year. Thompson said it is a waste of resources to pursue a case for so long.

 

Robert Garner, 66, of Lynn Township, also joined in with the protests on Wednesday.

 

“This is an unconstitutional prohibition act,” Garner said. “People are prohibited from using cannabis because it will interfere with big businesses and doctors. Cannabis

 

cured my cancer.”

 

http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/2015/09/30/marijuana-dispensary-case-going-trial/73107980/

[t-pain]

never fear, bill schuette is here to protect all that money from the taxpayers while murderers and rapists remain free on bond.