Pubdate: Fri, 21 Nov 2008
Source: Maui News, The (HI)
Copyright: 2008 The Maui News
Contact:  http://www.mauinews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259
Author: Melissa Tanji
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

TWO TRIAL DATES SET FOR SEVEN IN CANNABIS CASES

Organization Exploited Medical Marijuana Laws, Authorities
Say

WAILUKU - Two trial dates in February have been tentatively set for
seven Maui men charged in connection with an alleged marijuana
trafficking operation tied to a medical marijuana advocacy group based
in Paia.

A Feb. 2 trial date has been set for Brian Murphy, 53, of Paia; Brian
Ingersheim, 31, of Makawao; Stuart Hirotsu, 48, of Wailuku; and
William "Bill" Cox, 48, of Haiku.

A Feb. 9 trial date has been set for John Cooper, 40, of Kihei; Robert
"Bobby" Armitage, 58, of Wailuku; and Douglas Kaleikini Sr., 54, of
Wailuku.

Police arrested the seven men last week as part of "Operation
Weedkiller." During the investigation, police reported seizing
hundreds of marijuana plants and clones, processed and unprocessed
marijuana, drug paraphernalia, cash and one vehicle. Police say the
organization exploited state medical marijuana laws to sell the drug
to hundreds of people.

On Thursday, Murphy, who founded and heads Patients Without Time,
returned to 2nd Circuit Court with his new defense attorney, Chris
Dunn.

Several of the defendants in the case, including Murphy, were asked to
return to court Thursday, as the public defender's office reported
conflicts and could only represent Cooper, a previous client of the
office.

Murphy, who is out on $100,000 bail, told the court on Thursday that
he wanted to make sure that it would be fine for him to travel to
Tripler Army Medical Center on Oahu for treatment.

Dunn said the Maui Intake Service Center should not have a problem
with Murphy receiving medical treatment as long as it is in state.

Deputy Prosecutor Timothy Tate had no objections to the request and
2nd Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza also said Murphy should be allowed to
get his treatment.

Cardoza also issued conditions of bail for Murphy that included a ban
on use of alcohol or unprescribed or illicit drugs and for him to
undergo drug testing.

In ordering conditions of bail with the other defendants, Cardoza was
made aware by defense attorneys that their clients might test positive
for marijuana based on medical marijuana licenses.

Cardoza said the defendants will still need to undergo drug testing,
and results will be sorted out.

Neither Murphy nor Dunn brought up a concern raised by Murphy on
Tuesday about redacting, or blacking out, individual names in
documents outlining charges against him.

Murphy had said he was concerned about "legitimate medical marijuana
patients" whose conversations, names and and phone numbers were in a
public document.

Murphy said in court Tuesday that the charges were "fabricated" and
that the medical marijuana activities were never hidden from police.
Patients Without Time has been described as an organization that
informs people about state and federal laws on medical marijuana.

Murphy has been charged with criminal conspiracy as well as first- and
second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, first- and
second-degree commercial promotion of marijuana, first- and
second-degree promotion of harmful drugs and six counts of possessing
drug paraphernalia.

On Thursday, Armitage, Kaleikini and Cooper all pleaded not guilty to
one charge each of criminal conspiracy.

The four other men have already pleaded not guilty to their charges.
All men have posted bail and were not in custody Thursday.

Armitage and Kaleikini are scheduled to return to court Tuesday with
new attorneys.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin