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March 15, 2007
Watchdog Column: A dangerous criminal, take two
Posted by Gary Storck
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Isthmus' Bill Lueders filed the following item about the ongoing Lankford case in his weekly Watchdog column in the Isthmus.
It's amazing that Blanchard has now gone on record as supporting this incredibly flawed prosecution of an arrest that arose out of an illegal search. If this case were dismissed, as it should be, then at least the continued hemmoraging of tax dollars would cease. Instead, the meter is still running, and scarce resources needed to protect the citizens of Dane County from violent crimes are instead being wasted on a case that should never have been filed in the first place.
Source: Isthmus
Pubdate: 15 March 2007
Author: Bill Lueders
[Note: Item from "Watchdog" column titled "DMV prepares to hit road running" click here.]
WATCHDOGA DANGEROUS CRIMINAL, TAKE TWO
Speaking of crime and punishment, why is the DA's office, which laments that it no longer has resources to criminally prosecute low-level marijuana and drug paraphernalia cases, still pursuing felony charges against Madison resident Chris Lankford, 31, for (gasp!) passing a joint to another man at a pro-marijuana rally last year?
"That's his choice," says Blanchard, referring to Lankford. He says his office still prosecutes distribution, which includes passing a joint, but usually handles minor cases as misdemeanors. But when Lankford refused to accept this, the office refiled the charges as a felony.
"We offered to treat it as a misdemeanor offense," says Blanchard, "so it's he who has opted to have a trial on a felony level."
Lankford's attorney, Peter Steinberg, intends to contest the legality of the search, as he tried to do when it was a misdemeanor charge. He says the case shows the DA's office is still waging a nonsensical war on pot.
"How many years have DAs been claiming we don't prosecute minor marijuana cases?" Steinberg asks. "They do. I haven't seen any change. They are pursuing an objectively stupid policy."
Posted by Gary at March 15, 2007 05:09 PM
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