Pubdate: Tue, 8 Jan 2008
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (Jackson, MS)
Copyright: 2008 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/news/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)

APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS SHAW MAN'S DRUG CONVICTION

The Mississippi Court of Appeals today upheld the 60-year with no 
parole sentence of a man convicted in Madison County of possession 
with intent to distribute marijuana.

Keith Baskin, 33, of Shaw was convicted by a Madison County jury in 
March 2006 and sentenced in May by Circuit Judge Samac Richardson.

Baskin was sentenced as a habitual offender after it was determined 
he had two previous criminal convictions. The indictment was amended 
after his conviction on the marijuana charge to reflect he was a 
habitual offender.

On Jan. 2, 2004, Baskin was the front-seat passenger in a car when 
the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol attempted a traffic stop. The 
patrolman saw Baskin throw a package out the window. That package was 
retrieved by authorities and found to be about a pound of marijuana.

In his appeal, Baskin argued the state failed to prove he had an 
intent to distribute a control substance.  Also, he said his 
constitutional rights were violated because the sentence was grossly 
disproportionate to the offense. 
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