cannabisnews.com: Judge Reverses MMJ Jury Tampering Sentence Judge Reverses MMJ Jury Tampering Sentence Posted by CN Staff on March 03, 2003 at 20:25:12 PT By Don Thompson, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press An activist accused of disrupting a medical marijuana trial won't be spending three months in federal prison after all, a magistrate decided Monday. U.S Magistrate Judge Peter Nowinski had ordered Jeff Jones, executive director of Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, jailed for three months Thursday after he was found guilty in December of trying to influence jurors trying the case against fellow activist Bryan Epis. Nowinski also ordered Jones, 38, to pay restitution of $3,925, the government's cost of replacing the jury pool that presiding U.S. District Judge Frank Damrell Jr. decided was tainted because of the fliers Jones distributed outside the federal courthouse.However, Nowinski dropped the jail time during a hearing Monday.Epis was found guilty of growing marijuana, but is appealing his conviction and 10 year sentence.Jones' defense attorney had argued that he was exercising his First Amendment right when he passed out the fliers.Meanwhile Monday, authorities quarantined a floor of the federal courthouse in downtown Sacramento shortly after noon Monday after employees found a white powdery substance while sorting mail.Investigators determined two envelopes containing the substance were addressed to Nowinski and Damrell."One of the letters contained some threatening language," said FBI spokesman Nick Rossi. However, the powder tested negative for anthrax in a field test and initial laboratory test, Rossi said.The floor is not regularly used by the public, said U.S. Deputy Marshall David Gump. Four employees in the room when the envelopes were opened were isolated for a time, while an uninvolved magistrate and three employees were evacuated from the floor.Medical marijuana advocates, who decried the apparent hoax, said Jones' attorney also received a threatening letter Monday. The attorney could not be reached to comment.Complete Title: Judge Reverses Medical Marijuana Jury Tampering Sentence Source: Associated PressAuthor: Don Thompson, Associated Press WriterPublished: March 3, 2003Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:OCBChttp://www.rxcbc.org/Bryan Epis Protest Pictures & Articles http://freedomtoexhale.com/protestpics.htmRailroaded for Courthouse Leafletting http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15620.shtmlOakland Pot Club Director Gets 3-Monthshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15602.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by Truth on March 04, 2003 at 09:11:31 PT bushy tactic? Wouldn't surprise me if the powder was sent by the prohibitionist in an effort to discredit us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 04, 2003 at 08:06:47 PT Prime I'm glad you understand. We can fight City Hall but we need to do it not in a manner that will bring reproach to all of us. They want to find fault with us and so far we have held our heads high and shown them we are serious and most of all we really care. We threw out a life line to Jeff Jones by supporting him and caring for him. We are the good guys and the way I was raised to believe in the end the Good Guys win!http://media.jerrygarcia.com/audio/hi-fi/lifeline.m3u [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Prime on March 04, 2003 at 00:39:49 PT Your right FOM... I wanna win, but not by intimidation. Did the powder influence Nowinski's decision? I doubt it. Makes us all look bad though.Nowinski lost his cool in court last week and lashed out. I dont think federal judges like being exposed in their own court. They know they are under severe scrutiny right now. Charles Breyer is now a national celebrity. The man who lied to the jury. We got em on the ropes. This powder stunt is like hitting them below the belt. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by freedom fighter on March 03, 2003 at 23:07:49 PT Thar goes the KeyStoned Judges! Reversed? ff [ Post Comment ] Post Comment