Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2007
Source: Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2007, Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Author: Charlie Brennan, Rocky Mountain News
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Ken+Gorman

POLICE LOOK AT MARIJUANA SALES IN GORMAN DEATH PROBE

The investigation into the Saturday night slaying of marijuana 
advocate and former gubernatorial candidate Ken Gorman includes a 
close look at his selling and distribution of pot.

A search warrant executed at Gorman's home, signed by a judge early 
Sunday, notes that police were seeking - among other things - any 
written data or computer capable of storing records "related to the 
sale and or distribution of marijuana."

That warrant states that police responding to reports of a "possible 
robbery/home invasion" at Gorman's home Saturday evening in the 1000 
block of South Decatur Street found his door open.

Gorman, 60, was found lying on his living room floor with a gunshot 
wound in his chest.

He was pronounced dead 23 minutes later, at 7:36 p.m., at Denver 
Health Medical Center.

The warrant also confirms earlier reports by neighbors that police 
were at Gorman's home the previous night - but doesn't make clear why.

On Friday, the warrant states, police visiting his residence and saw 
marijuana plants growing inside his half of the single-level brick duplex.

"Officers had photographed the plants and advised the narcotics unit 
of the plants, but did not seize the plants or arrest Kenneth Gorman 
due to his stating that he had a license to grow the plants for 
medical purposes," according to the warrant.

The court document also mentions a "large cylindrical incubator that 
is also located inside the residence with dozens of seedlings at 
different stages."

Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said police answered a felony 
menacing call involving shots fired, two blocks south of Gorman's 
home, on Friday night - about 24 hours before Gorman was killed.

Jackson said officers handling that call ended up on Gorman's block, 
but not in relation to Gorman or his activities.

Jackson was unsure why officers had cause to go inside Gorman's home 
Friday night.

Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER, a group that campaigned 
successfully to legalize small amounts of marijuana in Denver, said 
his office has learned of a sunset vigil planned for Gorman late this 
afternoon in a garden area of Washington Park in Denver.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman