Pubdate: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 Source: San Bernardino Sun (CA) Copyright: 2013 Los Angeles Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.sbsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1417 Author: Wes Woods CIVIL TRIAL BEGINS BETWEEN MEDICAL POT ACTIVIST AND PRESIDENT OF COALITION FOR A DRUG FREE CALIFORNIA RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The civil lawsuit that marijuana activist Lanny Swerdlow filed against founder and president of the Coalition for a Drug Free California Paul Chabot started Tuesday with opening statements and testimony from Swerdlow, who is representing himself, and other witnesses. "I am a nurse, not a lawyer. I think that's very obvious. I'm very lucky. He's a very understanding judge," said Swerdlow of Judge Joseph Brisco after court testimony concluded late Tuesday. Swerdlow told jurors on Tuesday he was invited to an October 2007 Inland Valley Drug Free Community Coalition meeting in Rancho Cucamonga, which he was later kicked out of and subsequently arrested for, despite receiving an email from the coalition that said they "welcomed him." The activist's civil suit against Chabot seeks punitive damages of $1 million for false arrest and malicious prosecution. Jury selection for the civil suit was completed on Monday, and testimony began Tuesday. Chabot and his attorney Andrew Haynal dispute the claims and have filed a counter suit against Swerdlow. Chabot claims the activist battered him (which Swerdlow denies), and they're asking for attorneys fees. While Swerdlow was able to call witnesses to the stand on Tuesday, Chabot's side did not before the hearing ended for the day. During opening statements, Swerdlow and Chabot's lawyer Andy Haynal each told the jury that the burden of proof in a civil lawsuit was less than a criminal one. In 2008, Swerdlow was found not guilty after he was accused a year earlier of battery against Chabot. In October 2007, Swerdlow attended the meeting inside the James L. Brulte Senior Center, saying he wanted to listen before passing out fliers in support of medical marijuana. The activist was later arrested for allegedly assaulting guest speaker Chabot, who denied him entry into a public event. "I walked around him," Swerdlow told Chabot's attorney Andrew Haynal on Tuesday. According to a deputy's report filed by Chabot, from the 2008 case, Swerdlow pushed him before he entered the event. When Swerdlow entered, he walked into the meeting while holding a box of pro-marijuana fliers. Chabot reportedly told authorities, from that case, he feared for attendee safety after the activist refused to show him what was inside the box. Chabot called authorities, and Swerdlow was arrested while other marijuana activists who also tried to attend the event were ejected. During the court proceedings Tuesday, Swerdlow was at times admonished by Brisco for continuing statements despite being overruled by the judge. Swerdlow and Haynal were even called into Brisco's chambers for a conference after the activist was continuously cut off by Brisco for speaking after repeated objections on why he was in favor of legalizing all drugs. About 20 people in the courtroom wore green ribbons in support of Swerdlow while Chabot had three supporters who wore red ribbons. Testimony continues today at noon. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt