Pubdate: Fri, 08 Sep 2000
Source: Auburn Journal (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Auburn Journal
Contact:  1030 High St., Auburn, CA 95603
Website: http://www.auburnjournal.com/
Author: Jessica R. Towhey, Journal Staff Writer

TESTIMONY CONTINUES IN KUBBY TRIAL

Testimony continued Thursday in the marijuana trial of Steven and 
Michele Kubby, who face a combined 19 counts of illegal drug 
possession, cultivation of marijuana for possession and possession of 
paraphernalia.  

But with the completion of the second day of testimony, the trial was 
suspended until Oct. 11.  

Detective Mike Lyke of the Placer County Sheriff's Department took the 
stand for a second day of testimony about the investigation that led to 
the Jan. 19, 1999 raid on the Kubbys' Squaw Valley home.  

Additionally, Mitch Pier, an investigator with the state of Nevada 
Division of Investigations, testified on the execution of the search 
warrant on the Kubbys' home. During the search, police seized 265 
marijuana plants in various stages of growth, computer hardware that 
contained accounting records and books that prosecutors claim prove the 
Kubbys were involved in illegal drug activities. Pier was not 
questioned by the defense Thursday, and the cross-examination will not 
take place until court resumes in October.  

The Kubbys, who possess physician recommendations to use marijuana for 
medicinal reasons, have said the case against them is nothing more than 
political prosecution. Steven Kubby, the 1998 Libertarian Party 
gubernatorial candidate, was instrumental in the success of the 
Compassionate Use Act of 1996.  

He suffers from a rare form of adrenal cancer, and contends that 
smoking marijuana staves off the usually fatal symptoms of the disease. 

Michele Kubby suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, which her attorney 
described Wednesday as a debilitating illness that is a precursor to 
colon cancer.  

Court will be in recess until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11.
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