cannabisnews.com: Bail Revoked for Medical Marijuana Advocate 





Bail Revoked for Medical Marijuana Advocate 
Posted by FoM on January 06, 2000 at 17:59:53 PT
By David Rosenweig. Times Staff Writer
Source: Los Angeles Times
A federal magistrate revoked bail for medical marijuana advocate Todd McCormick on Wednesday, citing what he said was "clear and convincing evidence" that McCormick was smoking pot when he allegedly led a CHP officer on a 90-mph chase in November.   But Judge James W. McMahon said he had no authority to rule on a prosecutor's motion to forfeit part of the $500,000 bail posted on behalf of McCormick by actor Woody Harrelson. 
He said that question must be decided by U.S. District Judge George H. King, who is scheduled to sentence McCormick Feb. 28 on a separate drug conspiracy charge.   McCormick pleaded guilty in November to that charge, involving allegations that he was cultivating and intending to sell more than 4,000 marijuana plants at a rented Bel-Air mansion. In that case, McCormick had been barred from using California's medical marijuana initiative as a defense.   McCormick had been counting on King allowing him to remain free on bond after his sentencing while he appeals his conviction. Those hopes could now be dashed because of the magistrate's ruling Wednesday.   After a two-day hearing, McMahon found that McCormick, 29, violated several terms of his bail release.   A California Highway Patrol officer testified Tuesday that he chased McCormick for four miles on the Riverside Freeway in Orange County on Nov. 21 before McCormick pulled over.   During the pursuit, the officer said, McCormick threw a small item out of the driver's window. It was not recovered. The officer said he also detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car during the roadside stop.   McCormick, who admitted that he did not have a driver's license, sped off, nearly knocking down the highway patrolman.   After a second chase, McCormick was arrested, booked at the Orange County Jail and released on his own recognizance. He was charged with three misdemeanors and two traffic infractions.   In his ruling Wednesday, McMahon said that Assistant U.S. Atty. Jacqueline Chooljian had established that the officer had probable cause to arrest McCormick, a ground for revoking his bail.   The magistrate said the evidence was even stronger that McCormick was smoking marijuana during the high-speed chase, endangering the lives of others as well as the highway patrolman.   McMahon issued a warrant for McCormick's arrest Dec. 15 as a result of the chase. But federal marshals were unable to locate him at Harrelson's Big Bear Lake home, which he had listed as his place of residence. Published: January 6, 2000Copyright 2000 Los Angeles Times Related Articles & Web Sites:Todd McCormick's Grow Medicinehttp://growmedicine.com/ Welcome to A. H.E.M.P.http://www.ahemp.org/Compassionate Mom's Homepagehttp://members.home.net/amccormick/Todd McCormick in Prison for Perhaps Five Years-1/06/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4198.shtmlMedical Marijuana Proponent in Jail Pending Bail - 1/04/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4179.shtml 
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