Fourth marijuana conviction gets man life

[Ricky]

seriously? what a waste of tax dollars and resources. the drug laws need to seriously be redone. How can anyone think this type of shit is acceptable?

Cornell Hood II got off with probation after three marijuana convictions in New Orleans.

He didn't fare too well after moving to St. Tammany Parish, however. A single such conviction on the north shore landed the 35-year-old in prison for the rest of his life.

State Judge Raymond S. Childress punished Hood under Louisiana's repeat-offender law in his courtroom in Covington on Thursday. A jury on Feb. 15 found the defendant guilty of attempting to possess and distribute marijuana at his Slidell home, court records show.

Hood moved from eastern New Orleans to the Slidell area after he admitted to separate charges of distribution of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana on Dec. 18, 2009, in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. He received a suspended five-year prison sentence and five years' of probation for each -- which was precisely the same penalty he got in that court after pleading guilty to possessing and intending to distribute marijuana on Feb. 22, 2005.

When Hood switched homes, he also requested a new probation officer based in St. Tammany. Authorities granted the wish, and the officer, Dustin Munlin, drove to Hood's place for a routine visit on Sept. 27, 2010.

Munlin found nearly two pounds of pot throughout the house, according to court records. He alerted Sheriff's Office deputies. They arrested Hood, who apparently shared the King's Point house with his mother and young son.

Prosecutors later charged him with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

At Hood's one-day trial, the evidence presented by the prosecution included a digital scale and about a dozen bags that had contained marijuana before being seized from the house, testimony showed. Deputies also found $1,600 in cash and a student-loan application with Hood's name on it inside of a night stand.

Jurors deliberated for less than two hours and convicted Hood of a reduced charge, which usually carries no more than 15 years' imprisonment. Assistant District Attorney Nick Noriea Jr. then used Hood's past convictions on Thursday to argue that he was a career criminal worthy of a severe punishment.

Drug offenders in the state are subject to life imprisonment after being convicted three or more times of a crime that carries a sentence exceeding 10 years.

 

[Nil Volentibus Arduum]

Can't agree with you more. Most countries are stubborn when it comes to "drugs".

Every country should take Holland as an example: put a tax on the sales of a rather harmless drug. Keeps the dealers out of the streets aswell.

 

[Veni]

How is this shit acceptable? We're paying life in prison for inmates who were caught in possesion of a dried up flower.

The drug war is clearly going nowhere but it continues on for no reason.

 

[Meth9]

I don't understand why. Marijuana isn't nearly as dangerous as alcohol.

 

[Kratom]

I lived in Holland for a year. There's still plenty of drug dealers on streets and anyone who smokes pot more than casually uses them cause it's much cheaper. I was growing 7 plants myself though which is the legal limit, lol

 

[Veni]

I lived in Holland for a year. There's still plenty of drug dealers on streets and anyone who smokes pot more than casually uses them cause it's much cheaper. I was growing 7 plants myself though which is the legal limit, lol

Isn't the legal limit 5 females?

 

[pcash]

lol alot of country's are so stubborn when it comes to the key word DRUGS!

 

[orang3d]

Life sentance for that... that is just bullshit.

I know laws have got to be hard on drugs, and although i belive weed should be legal, bacause it isnt they must be shown to crackdown on it. But still!!

Unberlieveable

 

[Like Violence]

Intent to sell marijuana and he recieves the same punishment as someone who commits first degree murder (under the assumption the murderer lives in a state that has abolished the death penalty.) That is absolutely ridiculous, no harm would come from him selling weed.

 

[shawnwill1210]

they should have given him like 2 or 3 years prison. max

 

[shortperson]

they should not even use life in prison and just use the death sentence saves money no need for the expensive poison either just hang, or get shot

 

[Coinshare]

they should not even use life in prison and just use the death sentence saves money no need for the expensive poison either just hang, or get shot

For possessing Marijuana? No comment...

 

[Clashfan]

they should not even use life in prison and just use the death sentence saves money no need for the expensive poison either just hang, or get shot

If you had any idea what you're talking about you'd know the death penalty costs the state more than life in prison.

 

[Rawrasaurus]

My question is, if marijuana was legalized during the time period that the man was imprisoned, would he then be released or be made to serve his full sentence?

 

[Karl]

Doesn't america run on the 3-strike rule anyway?

Edit: 3-Strike rule works so well, sentenced a man for 25 years for stealing a slice of pizza from children: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/10/local/la-me-pizzathief10-2010feb10

 

[angus07]

i heard about this and its complete garbage.

we need to get Ron Paul in the White House. Last i heard, he wants to give states the rights to legalize all drugs, even including heroine.

Not saying I advocate the use of such drugs (EDIT: i do advocate marijuana though ), but just the idea of having the freedom to make a choice just helps our country to actually become more free as opposed to the prison that America is today. They tell us its a free country; its not.

 

[oblivion9032]

While I don't like marijuana I think thats way too extreme of a punishment.

 

[wtfomfgbbq101]

If courts send a strong message to not use this substance why are people still stupid enough to go to jail for. Not worth it. But as they say.. stupid is stupid does..

 

[kill dank]

Totally stupid. There are worse people to worry about that pot dealers..

 

[Veni]

If courts send a strong message to not use this substance why are people still stupid enough to go to jail for. Not worth it. But as they say.. stupid is stupid does..

Why is the court sending the message in the first place? People are beginning to forget they do have rights in this country.. or they should.