Madison NORML

There is a lot of space in the courtroom for supporters, and those who do show up will be treated to some interesting courtroom drama. Being a preliminary hearing, UW Police Officer Michael Mansavage will likely be called to the stand by Attorney Peter Steinberg to recount how he came to make his flawed arrest of Chris Lankford last October 8. Officer Mansavage, as many may recall, is the same UW police officer who pepper-sprayed U.S. Senate candidate Ben Masel for circulating nomination papers on the Union Terrace last June. The lack of probable cause in arresting someone for passing a round cylindrical object will no doubt come up.

So plan on taking an early lunch April 24 and head downtown and take a stand against cannabis prohibition, and against government waste. This case should be, at most, an ordinance violation, as the DA’s new policy calls for, if not an outright dismissal due to its flawed status. Instead, they’ll be firing up a prosecutor and a fully staffed courtroom at who knows what cost to taxpayers. Meanwhile, what other cases are being put on the back burner as this case eats up scarce resources?

Also, If you can’t make it, or even if you can, please make a donation to help bring this case to trial.

Donations should be sent to Steinberg Law Office, P.O. Box 2614, Madison, WI 53701, payable to Peter Steinberg, with the notation "Chris Lankford Defense Fund."

See you in court on April 24th!