Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Stupid District Attorney More stupidity. A Lake Geneva man could face 37 years in prison after he allegedly had marijuana in his system during a fatal crash in Muskego last September. Brent Ehret, 21, was charged Friday with one count of vehicular homicide with a controlled substance in his blood and one count of causing great bodily harm by use of a vehicle with a controlled substance in his blood. He was also charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. This is one of these new cases of charging someone simply because there were traces of tetrahydrocannabinol in the blood (Ehret claimed he had smoked the day before), without any indication of impairment. But here's the kicker. Check out this quote by idiot District Attorney Paul Bucher: "The nice thing about this law is you don't need to prove (someone) is under the influence," he said, adding that Ehret enjoys a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. "You shouldn't be driving under the influence of a controlled substance, period." ??? Does he even have a clue as to the words coming out of his mouth? [Thanks to Scott] 6:41:31 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Bad law, bad prosecution In Kenner, Louisiana, a tragedy happened. Rebecca Doussan (age 26) and her twin sister Rachel were injecting cocaine. Rebecca left the apartment to get some more, and when she returned, discovered her sister drowned in the bathtub, with the water still running and the bathroom door locked. The autopsy found that Smith died as a result of drowning, associated with the toxic effect of cocaine, [police spokesman] Gallagher said. Now Rebecca is being charged with 2nd degree murder for supplying Rachel with drugs which ""turn out to be the direct cause of death." Can someone tell me what the point of this prosecution is? Punishing Rebecca? She was punished more by the death of her twin sister than any jail sentence could possibly hope to accomplish. It's also not like there's any question that Rachel took the cocaine willingly. Deterrance? How can this law or prosecution thereof provide any deterrance? Will someone think "Oh, I'd better not give my sister drugs because if she dies I could get in trouble."? Even assuming anyone knows about this odd provision, they're not going into a drug experience expecting death as an option, so deterrance is out. Providing closure to the crime victim and their family? Oh wait, that's right, this law is punishing the "crime victim's" family. Using up excess tax funds lying around by prosecuting and jailing Rebecca? It's just stupid. The twins' father, David Doussan of Metairie, said learning his daughter was booked with murder was "like getting hit by a truck again." "It's indescribable the pain I've been through since the death of my daughter last year," he said. She "loved her sister dearly and would never do anything to hurt her," David Doussan said. "She would give her arm for her sister." 10:44:43 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []