Rich Paul, despite facing 81 years in prison for selling cannabis, has again refused the plea deal. As is mentioned in the “Don’t take the plea deal” flier, refusing an initial plea deal frequently leads to a second, better plea deal. That was the case today at superior court where Rich Paul was this morning for a hearing on some motions. The original plea deal on the table was that he plead guilty to the felonies and receive one year in jail. The new deal, offered this morning, was pleading to the felonies and receive zero jail time. Tempting as it was, Rich heroically refused and will go on trial by jury tomorrow at 9am.
This guy, Goldstein, comes out to every cannabis decrim/legalization hearing and speaks against freedom and in favor of prohibition. This time, inspired by Dave Ridley, I caught him in the hallway with a few questions, as did Rich Paul. Naturally, he only wanted to speak to supporters:
My name is Rich Paul. Last year, on May 31st, I was arrested by the Keene Police department. I was transported to the police station, where I expected to be booked for some crime. But I was not booked. Instead, I was taken to Special Agent Philip Christiana, who attempted to blackmail me. I was threatened with 81 years in prison, for delivery of marijuana and delivery of a substance purported to be LSD. I had, indeed, delivered marijuana as alleged, but had not purported anything to be LSD. The told me I had only one chance to save myself from them … that was to go on selling marijuana, but at the same time to spy on my friends at the Keene Activist Center, a political association of which I am a member.
I invoked my right to council, but Christiana said that if I did not relent, that the offer would be withdrawn, and that I would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and that no plea bargains would be offered to me at any time. I wanted to hear what he had to say, so I did relent and waived my right to council. I said that I would not make any kind of deal with him without being represented by council, to protect my interests. I also told him that we would not be negotiating with him, because he did not have the authority to give me immunity, and because law enforcement officers are permitted to lie to suspects, and that I could not trust him for that reason. He responded with a lie … (more…)
Rich Paul, despite facing 81 years in prison for selling cannabis, has again refused the plea deal. As is mentioned in the “Don’t take the plea deal” flier, refusing an initial plea deal frequently leads to a second, better plea deal. That was the case today at superior court where Rich Paul was this morning for a hearing on some motions. The original plea deal on the table was that he plead guilty to the felonies and receive one year in jail. The new deal, offered this morning, was pleading to the felonies and receive zero jail time. Tempting as it was, Rich heroically refused and will go on trial by jury tomorrow at 9am.
