Madison NORML

Source: La Crosse Tribune click here

Thursday, July 17, 2008
By Dan Springer

Second trucker cleared in half-ton pot case

SECOND TRUCKER CLEARED IN HALF-TON POT CASE
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Criminal charges have been dropped against a California truck driver who had nearly one-half ton of marijuana in his trailer at an interstate weigh station in November near West Salem, Wis.

Gurmit Singh, 38, and Marco Corzo, 54, both of Palmdale, Calif., have both been cleared of being party to the crime of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

According to court records, Singh pulled into the closed weigh station Nov. 20 and sought help from a trooper, saying he feared Corzo.

Singh told the trooper that Corzo had a gun and drugs and had threatened Singh’s life.

Troopers searched Singh’s trailer and found the men were hauling almost 1,000 pounds of marijuana along with three crates of tomatoes. Both men claim they didn’t know the truck contained marijuana.

In May, a La Crosse County jury found Corzo not guilty after a two-day trial. Singh was slated to stand trial this month.

On Tuesday, La Crosse County Assistant District Attorney Brian Barton dropped the charges against Singh, saying he does not think he could prove Singh was guilty.

In the motion, Barton said he reached that conclusion after reviewing the case, considering Corzo’s outcome and additional evidence from Singh’s attorney, James Kroner.

Barton could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Kroner would not elaborate on the evidence, saying he does not discuss private communications he has with other attorneys.

“I’m pleased we were able to get a good result for Mr. Singh,” Kroner said. “I know that when Mr. Singh was here (Tuesday) and learned that the case was dismissed, he was very pleased.”