From: [d--p--n] at [ziggys.cts.com] (Rex Kahler)  619/262-6384
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: SAM SKIPPER SENTENCED TO PRISON
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 94 19:47:45 PST


Sam Skipper, the La Mesa (San Diego), California man who was 
acquitted by a jury of his peers of any criminal wrongdoing
last year, was sentenced today to 16 months in California 
State Prison.

Skipper was arrested and charged with cultivation and possession
of a controlled substance, but was acquitted of any criminal acts
by virtue of the fact that he is infected with HIV, the virus which
can cause AIDS.

Skipper claims that in 1989, his physician told him that both he
and his lover (who subsequently died from AIDS) had tested positive
for HIV, the immune system destroying virus. In order to provide for
his lover, Skipper originally pleaded guilty to possession of a con-
trolled substance.

Skipper went to trial, and after several witnesses testified to 
his efforts to remain a private individual - that he was not a 
drug dealer nor in any way a danger or threat to society - and to 
the medical benefits of cannabis for persons suffering from various 
diseases, the jury found that Sam Skipper was not guilty of any
crime, and was only trying to keep from dying by utilizing the
unique properties of cannabis to maintain his health and prevent 
the 'wasting syndrome' associated with AIDS.

When the judge told Skipper that he would be subject to police
searches of his house, car, and person at any time the police
saw fit, Skipper announced he had no intention of giving up cannabis.
In the sentencing hearing today, the judge announced that due to the
fact that Skipper obviously had no intention of obeying the conditions
of probation, that therefore he had no choice but to sentence Skipper
to the minimum of 16 months in the state prison.

The judge stated that he personally felt the current marijuana laws
were bad, but claimed he had no right or authority to change them.
He then went on to equate Skipper's 'crime' with that of someone 
who fire-bombed an abortion clinic, or spray-painted swastikas on
a synagogue.

The judge claimed that his personal views and feelings held no bearing
on the case - and that society must be protected and its rules and laws
must be upheld.

The reaction from many in the courtroom was one of complete shock and
astonishment. Bob Randall, who heads the Alliance for Cannabis Thera-
peutics, and who was the first person (in 1978) to receive marijuana
from the government to treat glaucoma, was present.

Having testified previously as an expert witness on the medical 
benefits of marijuana, Randall was on hand in case the judge had 
any last questions to pose. After the judge sentenced Skipper, 
Randall and Skipper's lawyer both expressed shock and outrage at
the judge's decision to send a dying man to prison, especially
after he had been acquitted by a jury of his peers. "Stunned"
was a word used by more than one person present.

Skipper's lawyer will be filing appeals, and all parties have vowed
to take this issue to the supreme court if necessary. Skipper's
medical history shows that when he is not self-medicating, he loses
up to 2 pounds each day, and his prognosis - while excellent with
cannabis - is not good if he is incarcerated.

Skipper has been refused bail pending an appeal, but his lawyer will
be filing an appeal on this as well.



I'll continue updating this as information becomes available.



back beneath the waves
                        D o l p h i n R e x
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