The Delta Democrat-Times from Greenville, Mississippi • Page 3

For marijuana possession Farmer gets two-year sentence ByBdISSA DD-T Mld-DdU Burcmu Chtef CLEVELAND--Twisting through central Bolivar County is a sluggish stream called Snake Creek, Near its narrow channel can be found spots of woodland as well as cultivated row crops such as cotton and beans. And IS months ago, along its banks was found another very large patch of marijuana. The owner of the land where the marijuana was found was sentenced Friday to two years at Parchman after a jury convicted him of felonious possession of the drug. The same jury of eight women and four men acquited the man's wife, who had also been charged in the incident. i a a attempted to get convictions on charges of a a i the marijuana--the largest amount ever confiscated in Bolivar County.

The couple--Woodrow Isaacks, 62, and his wile Vera Iaacks, 56--were tried before Circuit Court Judge J.C. Feduccia in Bolivar County judicial District I (Rosedale). They were charged with manufacture and possession of more than 3,600 pounds ol plants which were uprooted and seized In a raid on the Isaacks' farm in September, 1874. Asked if he had anything to say before sentencing Isaacks replied, "No, not guilty, though," while his wife bit her lip, apparently to stifle tears. Judge Feduccia also fined Esaacks, P.OOO.

The jury had deliberated an hour and. 35 minutes before returning its verdict shortly before 6 p.m. Friday. The fact that the jury refused to i the I a a on the manufacturing charge means that the jury didn't believe assertions from District Attorney Lee Graves and County Attorney Frank 0. Wynne that the couple were actively involved in preparation of the marijuana.

But because the jury convicted Isaacks on the possession charge, the jurors must have been convinced that the marijuana was in fact grown on his land and also that he was aware of its presence. Graves told the jury in his closing argument that a small farmer like Isaacks would know if that much marijuana was growing on his farm. Isaacks' farm consists of 90 acres located about eight miles west of Cleveland. Although-no marijuana or drug paraphernalia was found at Isaacks 1 home at a nearby shed or barn), prosecutors maintained that the marijuana was being cultivated, harvested and packaged for delivery. One of the plants had grown to 17 feet tall, Graves said.

Defense attorneys W.B. Alexander and H.F. "Chips" Elias Jr. had maintained that outsiders were entering the Isaacks farm by crossing the creek on a tootlog and were growing the marijuana. The defense also called an expert witness, Dr.

Maynard W. Quimby, who stated that marijuana seed may be easily spread by the wind, by birds, and other natural forces. Quiinby, a botanist and professor emeritus at the University of Mississippi, told the DD-T after his testimony that he has never seen "wild" marijuana growing in Mississippi, although he has seen it growing along railroads, streams and fields in the Midwest. Wynne and Graves had to prove the existence of the marijuana through photographs because evidence confiscated by officers in the Sept. 9, 1974, artest was ruled Inadmissible.

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CLOTHS 79t MONDAY-THURSDAY 9 i FRIDAY-SATURDAY YOUR ONE STOP CHRISTMAS STORE A I master charge i DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE i i 1 LucL A I Democrat-Times Greenville, Mississippi Sunday, Nov. 9, 1975.