Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jun 2015
Source: Garden City Telegram (KS)
Copyright: 2015 The Garden City Telegram
Contact:  http://www.gctelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1476
Author: Michael Maresh

BANDA HAS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE

Shona Banda, the local medicinal marijuana advocate who faces 
multiple drug charge in addition to a child endangerment charge, had 
her first appearance in Finney County District Court Tuesday morning.

In a brief appearance, District Magistrate Judge Ricklin Pierce 
forwarded the case against Banda, 37, to Chief Judge Wendel Wurst.

Banda's next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 24 in 
front of Wurst, Pierce said.

Banda, who was in court Tuesday with her attorney, Sarah Swain, 
already had posted the surety bond of $50,000, Pierce said.

Unlike Monday, when Banda was accompanied by several others as she 
turned herself in at the Law Enforcement Center, few attended the 
brief court hearing.

Pierce also ruled that Banda is not allowed to have any contact with 
her 11 -year -old son except through childcare services.

Banda is charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors. She was 
charged June 5 with endangering a child, distribution or possession 
with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of 
school property, unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance and 
possession of drug paraphernalia.

The three felonies carry a potential sentence of 11 to 17 years.

Swain on Monday said she believes the combination of charges, because 
of their respective severity levels, could land her client in jail 
for more than 30 years if she is convicted and sentenced.

The drug investigation involving Banda and her son resulted from 
comments her son made during a drug education program March 24 at his 
school, Bernadine Sitts Intermediate Center, that led to the 
Department of Children and Families and Garden City Police Department 
being contacted.

According to police, the boy said his mother and other adults were 
avid drug users and that there was a lot of drug use occurring in his 
residence. That led police to suspect drugs were present in the home.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom