Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Marijuana charges dropped against couple
PLAISTOW — The state has dropped all but one charge against an Atkinson couple accused of growing marijuana in their home.
On Monday, all charges against Valerie Zdrada, 60, were dropped, while her husband, Robert Zdrada, 65, still faces one felony charge of cultivating marijuana. Both were initially charged with one count of cultivation of marijuana and one count of possession of the drug with the intent to distribute.
Judge Sharon DeVries accepted the state's withdrawal of three of the four charges in 10th Circuit Court in Plaistow Monday morning. The Zdradas' defense attorney, Alan Cronheim, said he was pleased with the development.
"I appreciate that the state took the time to resolve it. I think it's very appropriate that the possession with intent to distribute charges were (dropped)," Cronheim said. "Lastly, we appreciate that the state has reviewed the medical information we've provided and we're going to continue conversations about how the remaining charge is resolved."
Cronheim argued at the couple's arraignment in December that they grew the marijuana not to sell, but to treat Robert Zdrada, who suffers from cancer. Zdrada obtained a medical marijuana card in late January. New Hampshire began accepting applications for medical marijuana identification cards in early November, just three weeks after the couple's arrest. Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill legalizing medical marijuana into law in 2013.
Cronheim had referenced a Superior Court case from November, in which a judge ruled that the state needed to issue a medical marijuana card to an Alstead woman named Linda Horan, who then used it to buy the drug in Maine. Cronheim likened the case to his clients' situation, arguing that Robert Zdrada would have had legal access to marijuana had New Hampshire not delayed the issuance of cards.
At the time of the Zdradas' arrest Oct. 19, police said they seized more than seven pounds of marijuana, along with plant stems, seeds and specialized heating lamps, from the Zdradas' Crown Hill Road home.
The case will move to Rockingham Superior Court to be presented to a grand jury if it is not resolved during negotiations between the defendants and the state beforehand.
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10 comments:
Typical, Big arrest lots a fanare, Drag their name through the mud, and when they can not prove their case, quietly dismiss.
This story line is becoming cliche
I am happy to hear this. The charges of distribution should not have been brought when he had a good reason. The idea that the mysterious person tipped off the police and they apparently didn't do much of an investigation is disturbing. Some discretion and patience would have been better. Maybe they just get bored in this dull town and look for people to arrest.
This is when it is everyone's best interest to drop the charges since it's not a public safety issue. This man has enough to worry about dealing with e scary health situation. Where's the kindness and the common sense?
While this absolutely sucks for Bob and Val, I'm hopeful this
case brings clarity to ones right, in the privacy of his own home,
to cultivate plants and privately consume them for the purpose
of relieving the pain and mental anxiety that cancer and its treatment causes.
Bob could have easily bought bags off the street, it's everywhere.
Apparently he chose to control what he injested and perhaps
select a strain to best address his pain relief needs ... Yes, folks
you can do that these days...
Prescription opiates are the usual for cancer... If Bob can substitute
cannabis for those addictive drugs, I say bravo, Bob -- RESPECT!!
To me, this is a basic human right to take care of ones self
the way you see fit... It's your life.... God Bless the United States
of America!!
Good luck to Bob and may all of us keep him in our prayers. May God retrain the idiots from the local "Justice System" that can't differentiate a real need for assistance from a travesty of justice.
The APD has a long documented track record, at least under Consentino as chief, of harassing people through the legal system to reach their own predetermined conclusion. They tried it with Acciard, Kaye, Boyle's Kid, Peak, Artus, LaFrance, Davies, The former police Lt. from the 90's can not remember his name. And many many more.
Arrest, call the papers, lots of publicity, no investigation, try to brow beat a confession, and then if they are forced to trial, try to negotiate a lesser charge, and if really pressed, fold.
Tread crapper, Constantino's obsessed individuals
Comment on subject or take your hate elsewhere...
Tread ? Constantino ?
Get an education.
Thread crapper. Consentino's obsessed individuals.
How's that, Asshat..
Hmm. This person is very angry and not very nice. Why do you suppose that is? Why do you think he/she comes on here to attack rather than to post a meaningful statement?
A wise person once told me that angry jealous or hateful people are this way all the time. It's not you, it's them. They ARE just unhappy, ugly, vengeful and evil.
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