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wre

Registered: 05/06/09
Posts: 370
Loc: New Zealand
Last seen: 2 years, 9 months
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Colourful marijuana activist guilty of possession and supply charges - New Zealand
#14519550 - 05/27/11 06:56 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Colourful marijuana activist guilty of possession and supply charges http://www.tewahanui.info/wordpress2/?p=4759
A jury in the Auckland District court last night found cannabis campaigner Dakta Green guilty on charges of marijuana possession and supply and allowing a premises to be used for the consumption of cannabis.
The jury convicted Green on three of six charges. He has been remanded on bail for sentencing on 29 June.
The charges arose from a Jauary 2010 raid on Green’s ‘Daktory‘ in New Lynn, where he presided over a loose club-like structure that became the centre of marjiuana culture in Auckland.
During the trial the jury was shown video footage of Green appearing to exchange cannabis buds with names like “White Rhino” for money in a makeshift dispensary at the former warehouse.
Throughout his cross-examination, Green would not confirm that the substance was cannabis, or that he was given money in exchange for the material. All he would concede under cross-examination was that the substance was a “green, leafy material”, “that should be legal”.
Green could face a custodial sentence following his conviction. Last year he was lucky to not to be jailed for similar offences.
Te Waha Nui was the only media outlet covering the final day of the trial and the colourful pro-legalisation rally outside the court premises yesterday in Albert Street.
Verdict expected in marijuana campaigner case this evening http://www.tewahanui.info/wordpress2/?p=4753
A verdict is expected tonight in the Auckland District Court trial of marijuana campaigner Dakta Green on the six cannabis-related charges.
The jury retired about 3.30 this afternoon to consider its decision on the six charges of possession and supply of cannabis and using premises in west Auckland for the purpose of supply arising out of a police raid in January 2010.
Final addresses from the crown prosecutor and Green, who represented himself, were heard by the jury before the judge’s summation, with proceedings finishing around mid-afternoon.
Crown prosecutor Kristen Lummis made a clear argument to the jury that Green was the main person in control of activities at the infamous Daktory, saying that Green had acted as a “master of ceremonies”.
Lummis outlined 10 key points in the crown’s argument in her address to the jury that showed how Green was the key person responsible for the day-to-day running of the Daktory and said that Green had a “significant level of control” within the premises.
Lummis citied incidents where Green refused access onto the premises to under 18-year-olds as evidence that Green had control over the activities at the Daktory.
While there is no direct evidence that Green took part in growing marijuana, Lummis told the jury that there was enough evidence for them, such as a video of Green demonstrating how to make a cabinet to grow cannabis in, to “connect the dots” and come to the conclusion that Green is guilty of cultivation.
Green told the jury that while he may oversee the day-to-day running of the Daktory it did not mean that he is solely responsible for the premises.
Green noted that the video evidence presented to the jury was not filmed by police, and that the only witnesses called upon by the prosecution were police officers and himself rather than anyone admitting they had bought cannabis from him.
His refusal to answer questions from the crown prosecutor during cross-examination was explained by Green to be a matter of principle, saying that he would not be involved in his “self-incrimination”.
“The nature of our campaign means that we will not aid our prosecutors in our prosecution,” Green says.
In relation to the charge of cultivation of cannabis, Green said it was “a large stretch” to assume that he was the sole grower of the marijuana plants in the Daktory when there were so many people on the premises on a regular basis.
Judge Phil Gittos reminded the jury that their job was to determine that all charges against Green could be proven beyond reasonable doubt before the jury went into deliberation.
Marijuana activist cross-examined in cannabis supply case http://www.tewahanui.info/wordpress2/?p=4696
Pro-legalisation activists mobilised at the Auckland District Court today protesting the jury trial of marijuana campaigner Dakta Green, who faces six charges relating to possession and supply of cannabis.
Green pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He could face a custodial sentence if found guilty.
A verdict could be reached this afternoon on the last day of a five-day trial by jury.
TWN Online spoke to several activists who are calling for law reforms on the use of cannabis.
goNZo Freakpower Brains Trust blogger Will de Cleene says these high-profile cases have rallied support for the legalisation of cannabis, with some protestors coming as far away as Wellington.
“As injustices accumulate, more people become radicalised,” he says.
NORML cannabis organisation member Garry Chiles came from Wellington to support Green on the last day of his trial.
“There’s no crime in cannabis and we should all be left alone,” says Chiles.
Another protester outside the court agreed, saying “how can cannabis be a crime when there is no victim”.
This morning, in front of judge Denis Gittos, Green was cross-examined by Crown prosecutor Kirsten Lunnis as supporters crowded the public gallery.
The prosecutor showed the jury over eight minutes of video footage and alleged it implied Green sold cannabis from inside the Daktory, a premises in New Lynn Green was renting.
Green was visible exchanging green leafy material referred to as “white rhino” and which he said looked like “something that ought to be legal” for what he admitted looked like it “possibly” could have been money.
Judge Phil Gittos looked on bemused and jury members smirked as Green refused to confirm his actions in the footage.
Green’s responses “I can’t answer that”, “I don’t recall”, I can’t confirm” and “You’d have to ask the cameraman” elicited the response “You’re not willing to concede much,” from Prosecutor Lunnis.
Speaking during a brief adjournment before the prosecutor’s summing up in the case, Green told TWN he was representing himself as it allowed him to “say and do things” that worked to his advantage.
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wre

Registered: 05/06/09
Posts: 370
Loc: New Zealand
Last seen: 2 years, 9 months
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Re: Colourful marijuana activist guilty of possession and supply charges - New Zealand [Re: wre]
#14519563 - 05/27/11 07:02 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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FREE DAKTA GREEN! (facebook event link)
Who is Dakta Green?
Dakta Green is a New Zealand cannabis law reform activist and political candidate. He is the Waitakere regional co-ordinator for NORML New Zealand, the driver of Mary Jane the Cannabus, and founder of The Daktory. He was a candidate for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party in the Mount Albert by-election, 2009.
He was jailed for one year in Shasta County Jail in the United States in 1999, and for two years and eight months in New Zealand prisons from November 2002. On January 9th 2010, police invaded Dakta Greens home, The Daktory. He was arrested and charged with possession for supply of cannabis, cannabis cultivation and selling cannabis. On May 13th 2011 Dakta Green was found guilty of 3 out of the 9 charges he faced, he was Convicted for selling, possession and permitting premises to be used to consume cannabis and is awaiting sentencing on Wednesday 29th of June 2011.
Edited by wre (05/27/11 07:03 AM)
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drtrip
Dr. Trip



Registered: 05/16/10
Posts: 9
Loc: Auckland, New Zealand
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
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Re: Colourful marijuana activist guilty of possession and supply charges - New Zealand [Re: wre]
#14834530 - 07/27/11 06:18 PM (12 years, 6 months ago) |
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What are the results??
-------------------- The biggest trip of all is life itself..
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wre

Registered: 05/06/09
Posts: 370
Loc: New Zealand
Last seen: 2 years, 9 months
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Re: Colourful marijuana activist guilty of possession and supply charges - New Zealand [Re: drtrip]
#14836992 - 07/28/11 03:40 AM (12 years, 6 months ago) |
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8 months jail but think hes only doing 4
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