cannabisnews.com: A Barrymore Hurt in Pot-Plant Robbery 





A Barrymore Hurt in Pot-Plant Robbery 
Posted by CN Staff on May 06, 2002 at 17:29:47 PT
By Ray Delgado, Chronicle Staff Writer
Source: San Francisco Chronicle 
Former actor John Barrymore III, a member of the illustrious acting family, is recovering from an attack at his Mountain View home last week allegedly by a group of teenagers who were trying to steal his large stash of marijuana. Barrymore, 47, and his wife, Rebecca, were both assaulted in the Wednesday afternoon attack, and Mountain View police say the couple will likely be arrested for possession of more than 100 marijuana plants that were grown in their garage and backyard. 
According to police, six teenagers who had heard about Barrymore's alleged marijuana plant operation from his teenage son decided to break into the house on Wednesday and steal the plants. When the teens arrived at the house just after 1:30 p.m., they discovered Barrymore and his wife were home. The suspects left the house after speaking briefly with Rebecca Barrymore and returned minutes later with an undisclosed metal object that they used to beat the couple, said Mountain View police spokesman Jim Bennett. "It appears that the motivation for the crime was to steal the marijuana plants," Bennett said. "But we don't believe they were successful. Barrymore and his wife were both struck in the head by the metal object and were transported to Stanford Medical Center. Rebecca Barrymore was treated and released that same day but John Barrymore needed surgery for his injuries and was hospitalized for two days, hospital officials said. Police arrested five of the six suspects shortly after Rebecca Barrymore and other witnesses called 911 and described the suspects' vehicle, an older model Volkswagen Vanagon, and it was spotted by police. The sixth suspect was arrested later that day in San Jose, Bennett said. Police identified one suspect as Jeremy Solito, 18, of San Jose, who was arraigned Friday on charges of attempted murder, robbery and burglary. The other five suspects are juveniles. The Santa Clara County District Attorney filed charges of attempted murder, robbery and burglary in adult court on Friday against 17-year-old Michael Jordan, who was believed to be the lead assailant in the incident. "We believe he was the one who actually wielded the weapon and inflicted the injuries," said Deputy District Attorney James Leonard. The other four juveniles are expected to appear in court later this week and it has not yet been determined if they will be charged as adults, Leonard said. Investigators are also pulling together evidence against the Barrymores after confiscating the 100 marijuana plants from the garage and backyard of their residence on Lloyd Way. Bennett said police who responded to the 911 call were given permission to search the home by Barrymore. When officers discovered the cache of plants in the garage, they immediately obtained a search warrant and started a different investigation that focused on the marijuana growing operation, Bennett said. The majority of the plants were found in the garage and appeared to be meticulously cared for, Bennett said. "There appeared to be somewhat of a sophisticated operation," Bennett said. "There was an irrigation system and lighting provided." "Most likely, we will be requesting an arrest warrant," Bennett said. "It looks like it's more marijuana than what is used for personal use." Leonard said he is still waiting for the Barrymore case to be handed over to his office before determining what charges, if any, will be filed. He said investigators found some evidence in the Barrymore home from a medical marijuana buyers' club. Barrymore is the grandson of the Shakespearean actor and silent-film star with the same name. He has had several minor movie roles and is half brother to actress Drew Barrymore. Note: John III, wife badly beaten in Mountain View. Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Ray Delgado, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Monday, May 6, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Hearst Communications Inc. - Page A - 1 Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Articles:Barrymore Could Face Marijuana Charges http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12752.shtmlPolice Say Pot Plants Led Teens To Invade Homehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12751.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 07, 2002 at 12:35:59 PT:
Post-Traumatic Prophylaxis
Dexanabinol (HU-211) is still investigational in the USA. Cannabis is illegal. I have not heard of any of my colleagues brazen enough to give Marinol acutely in head injury cases although it could sure help.
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Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on May 07, 2002 at 12:04:51 PT
Tell his doctors too
Dr. Russo, I hope the poor guy's brain doctors at Stanford are current on their cannabinoid science. It could make a really big difference in his future.
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Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 07, 2002 at 11:15:20 PT:
Attention: Newshawks
If anyone sees the name of Mr. Barrymore's attorney in a news story, I'd appreciate knowing who s/he is. There is something about plopping down a 72 page article on cannabis in migraine treatment that tends to make DA's pale. I love it when that happens!
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Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on May 07, 2002 at 11:10:53 PT:
(Droning) Sophisticated...sophisticated...
...sophisticated....Jeez, somebody had better write these lame-brained antis some new cheat-sheets; this one is getting old.'Sophisticated', eh? Let me ask you; ever looked inside of the things you buy? How many of you have ever opened the side panels on your computers and actually looked in there? Daunting mass of cables, circuit boards, lights, nuts and bolts, ain't it? I deal with it every day; nothin' to be afraid of. So long as you know what you are about, that is.Rather 'sophisticated', wouldn't you say? How about popping the hood of your car; too 'sophisticated' to stick your hands in there?But look at your average indoor growroom: a light, some trays for plants, maybe a tank for water, a fan, that sort of thing...hardly what you would all 'hi-tech'. And primitive as Hell...compared to what Uncle has in certain very quietly maintained places. Like the ratholes the VP hides in...Definitely not 'sophisticated'.Most antis are, at their core, unimaginative drudges barely able to comprehend the assembly manual for a bicycle, much less a computer; anything more technologically advanced than a spoon is 'sophisticated' for them. They are the Information Age's equivalent of Marx's lumpenproletariat; so hopelessly backward that no effort at retraining helps.Such as they wouldn't recognize technical 'sophistication' if it bit them on their ample arses.
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Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on May 06, 2002 at 19:02:24 PT
I hope they're giving him cannabinoids
Head injury victims need cannabinoids. Cannabinoids block the harmful chemicals released into the brain after a head injury, stroke or seizure.The poor guy had his medicine confiscated, I hope someone is taking care of his needs.
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Comment #1 posted by potpal on May 06, 2002 at 18:42:35 PT
Profit motive
No mention of how the prohibition of cannabis makes an herb that would cost less than lettuce worth $400 an ounce, enough to compel teenagers to hit someone over the head for it. In a reasonable world, they be off growing their own. And its too bad that there are people in the world that would hit you over the head for your sneakers or cell phone.One positive thing to come out of this will be a celebrity name and voice soon to join the cause of ending prohibition.  Wonder if they'll try to take his house?  
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