Judge takes pity on man who brought a loaded gun to traffic court, sentences him to probation

[depakid]

It was bad enough that Grant Howard Thomas brought a loaded gun into traffic court. After police took it from him, they searched Thomas' car and found more guns, plus evidence of a marijuana-growing operation. A search of his house revealed he was growing more plants than his medical marijuana card allowed. roubles heaped on more troubles. But it worked out relatively well for Thomas in the end, when Washington County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Kohl sentenced him Wednesday to three years' probation instead of jail.

Kohl said he was moved by Thomas' rambling, sob-filled apology. The 29-year-old insisted he had been carrying the gun for protection and never intended to hurt anyone. He was taking marijuana to relieve his pain from a degenerative disc, he said. He has applied to a program to help him overcome his addiction to painkillers.

"I'm using this entire situation as a turning point in my life," said Thomas, a lanky blond man dressed in an orange jail-issue jumpsuit. Crying, he added, "I'm blessed with an amazing wife and four kids. After 2 1/2 months in custody, my home and family's overall well-being is at risk."

Thomas brought a loaded .45-caliber, semiautomatic handgun with him when he appeared Jan. 12 on a traffic violation in Washington County Justice Court near Beaverton. An undercover detective discovered the weapon when he saw Thomas drop it in the parking lot and put it back in his waistband. The non-criminal traffic court has no metal detectors.

Thomas didn't have a concealed handgun permit. Police searched his car and found a loaded AR-10, .308-caliber rifle as well as marijuana paraphernalia. Then they searched his house in North Plains. They discovered that although Thomas had a valid medical marijuana card, he was growing more than the allotted amount of the drug.

Later, in jail, Thomas was caught with Vicodin and Oxycodone in his cell. Washington County prosecutor Jeff MacLean suggested Thomas serve at least some time in jail.

But James Jensen, Thomas' attorney, said his client had cooperated with police and that he had "taken full responsibility for his actions."

More: http://www.oregonlive.com/north-of-26/index.ssf/2010/03/judge_takes_pity_on_north_plains_man_who_brought_a_loaded_gun_to_traffic_court_sentences_him_to_prob.html

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Did the lawyer mention he is white, or did the judge figure that out for himself?...

This story is hilarious-- no permits but a buncha guns for "protection," lotsa weed, but he's really such a good boy at heart so he doesn't deserve anything more then trhe grief he has already suffered.

[katandmoon]

2. And the point is -- ?

[Glassunion]

4. Something...

What it is... I have no idea. But you wait... One day he will have a point and... BAMB! Epiphany time.

I think.

[depakid]

6. Actually, I was curious to see the responses to the sentencing

given the various facts of he case.

[Glassunion]

7. So there was no point?

You have no opinion on the topic you posted?

[depakid]

9. Well the paranoia that led him to carry guns around might have been be a point- but

that sort of deal would have been better expressed on your chinchilla thread.

[Glassunion]

10. So your point is to insult...

Ok. At least you have a point. Thanks for sharing. K... Bye.

[depakid]

11. If you start out with the insults- don't be surprised to get some back

[Arctic Dave]

3. This is one strange story.

I'm not sure how to respond. So many aspects.

[Skittles]

5. mixed

I believe a judge should have the ability to be compassionate - if he truly believes this guy has turned the corner - well, sometimes it takes an act of kindness to make people believe that someone believes in them

[baldguy]

8. Why the sympathy for this self-confessed criminal?

Is having an illegal gun a get-out-of-jail-free card now?

[Callisto32]

12. SOOO, just for clarification, he hurt no one?

He has pot....check. No victim.

He has narcotics....check. No victim.

He has guns....Check. No victim.


He is being punished for this why?