Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2003
Source: Spartanburg Herald Journal (SC)
Copyright: 2003 The Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Contact:  http://www.goupstate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/977
Author: Teresa Killian, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

TEACHER FOUND NOT GUILTY OF MARIJUANA CHARGE GOES BACK TO WORK THIS WEEK

A Jonesville High School teacher went back to work Monday after a jury 
found him not guilty this past week of a simple possession of marijuana charge.

Will Hickson, 29, of Union was arrested Nov. 26 after a drug dog stopped an 
investigator at Hickson's car during a routine sweep at the school.

In a .02-gram sample of material linked to the car, tests came back both 
positive and negative for marijuana, said Hickson's attorney, Chad Jenkins 
of the Newberry firm Pope & Hudgens.

Witnesses who testified in the three-and-half-hour jury trial indicated 
many people -- not just Hickson -- used the teacher's 1994 Honda Accord. 
Sometimes he was not in the car with them, Jenkins said.

Also, the vehicle was not clean. To illustrate in part how difficult such a 
small amount of a leafy substance could be to see, Jenkins sprinkled about 
a teaspoon of parsley onto a carpet during his closing, he said.

The jury deliberated about 15 minutes before returning a not guilty verdict.

Hickson was eager to return to work Monday, Jenkins said. He has taught 
seventh- and eighth-grade math, assisted coaching junior varsity football 
and sponsored the academic challenge team.

Hickson's reinstatement resulted not only from the not guilty verdict but 
also an investigation that included a drug test, which returned negative, 
said Thomas White, superintendent of Union County schools.
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