Phelps arrest backfiring on sheriff, local editor says

[G_j]

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Public_derides_sheriff_in_Phelps_case_0213.html

Phelps arrest backfiring on sheriff, local editor says
Rachel Oswald
Published: Friday February 13, 2009


Efforts by a South Carolina sheriff to pursue a criminal investigation into Olympic medalist Michael Phelps for smoking marijuana at a college party in November are backfiring, a local newspaper editor says.

Since the news Wednesday that at least eight individuals have been arrested and questioned about the November party at a house near the University of South Carolina where Phelps was photographed smoking from a bong, public reaction has been less supportive of Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. Lott’s decision to pursue a criminal investigation is now drawing questioning of why he even bothered.

“I think the general consensus is that it is a waste of taxpayer money and resources if that’s what he’s focused on,” said Paul Blake, publisher of Columbia’s alternative weekly, the Columbia City Paper.

<snip>

"The efforts that are being made here are unlike anything I've ever seen before," South Carolina defense attorney Jack Swerling told the AP. "I know Leon Lott, I know him to be an honorable guy. I've known him for 30 something years. But the efforts here are extraordinary on simple possession cases."

The public is now questioning why Lott is investing the man-hours in pursuing a case against Phelps when, according to the sheriff department’s own Web site, Richland County has approximately 55 unsolved homicides going back several decades.

A particularly snarky petition titled “Opposing Sheriff Leon Lott's Marijuana Prosecutions” is now circulating around the Internet. As of Friday morning, it had 194 signatures.

...more..

[Karenina]

1. GOOD!

[malaise]

8. Ditto

So fugging what if he smokes herb out of season?
Legalize it!

[Iggo]

2. Yikes.

From the article...

As part of the department’s tough-on-crime image, Lott oversaw the acquisition last year of an armored personnel carrier. The APC, which can travel at speeds of 30 miles per hour, was nicknamed “the Peacemaker” and purchased from army surplus. It comes with a turret-mounted .50-caliber belt-fed machine gun. The APC is used by the department’s Special Response Team, which responds to high-risk crimes.

-----------------------

I think I'll ask my locals if they have a tank with a Ma Deuce on top!

:rofl:

[skypilot]

6. I just finished reading the article...

...and that's the part that really struck me. A damned armored personnel carrier? I just standing here thinking, "This guy's a major douche".

On edit: And there was also this: The men said the raids were reportedly carried out like a major drug bust with 12 deputies, guns drawn, bursting into the homes.

Major douche.

[20score]

3. Here's the link to the petition.

http://www.petitiononline.com/LottPot/petition.html

[Beam Me Up]

9. Thanks. Signed!

[20score]

10. Great, I did too. It's actually pretty funny.

[20score]

12. Damn, only 219. I hope we can do better than that.

[Beam Me Up]

14. 246 now -- people need to email that link to their friends n/t

[punkin87]

4. Leon Lott is a major asshole. How do psychos like him get any power?

[punkin87]

5. Kick. I hope people get outraged at that bastard sheriff.

[20score]

7. And I hope they sign the petition.

[JonLP24]

11. Phelps was arrested?

I think the headline is misleading, I know not your fault per DU rules.

[Royal Sloan 09]

13. K & R

Signed petition also

Yes, We Cannabis!
:smoke:
Legalize