Tom the Nurse Acquitted

Clark Sullivan HempEvolution.org

Tom hams it for the camera with Clark Sullivan during a Sept 21st rally [photo by Terrie Frye]

San Francisco, CA Sept 28, 2006 -- In a major victory for San Francisco medical cannabis caregivers, Thomas Juzbasic LVN was acquitted on all cannabis charges stemming from his bust in June 2003 in Municipal Court.

After over 39 months and a week long mistrial, the second trial lasted only two and a half days before the jury came back with the not guilty verdict in under two hours, leaving no doubt of Tom's innocence   He was charged with felony sales of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and if the second count wasn't was found guilty, simple possession of cannabis.  Mr. Juzbasic face up to two years in jail if convicted.

A different tactic was employed during the second trial by his counsel, Mel Santos in which Mr. Juzbasic was contrite, admitting he had made an honest mistake in selling 6.75 grams to undercover Inspector John Keane #948. 

Tom employed Deputy Public Defender Santos because he wanted the best counsel possible to represent him, despite allegations that he made too much money from his medical cannabis delivery business and could have hired a private attorney.

Tom added, "During the darkest days of my ordeal, I never gave up hope of proving my innocence.  There was always a ray of light in the darkness".

Several issues about medical cannabis and the use of City resources by the DA's office and the SFPD to arrest and prosecute patients.  In a bill sponsored by Supervisor Tom Ammiano, an audit will made of both agencies to find out how much money is spent by the City arresting and prosecuting and incarcerating cannabis defendants.  The second is the training of SFPD narcotics officers by the rapidly anti-medical cannabis California Narcotics Association.  The third was the discovery that all narcotics officers are deputized by the DEA.

Waiting for court to begin [photo by Terrie Frye]

Tom the Nurse would like to thank all the folks that showed up to support him during his ordeal.  "It really made a difference", he said.

Story Archive

1. SFPD fan busted with pot
2. Why is This Patient Still Being Prosecuted?
3. Rally in Support of Patients Rights to Medical Marijuana
4. Closed Court Session for Tom?
5. Press Release: Rally in Support of Patients Rights to Medical Marijuana
6. Tom the Nurse's Preliminary Hearing
7. SFPD vs. The People
8. Tom the Nurse's Trials Part XXlll
9. Tom the Nurse's Trials: Part XXV
10. Press Release: Tom [the Nurse] Juzbasic's Trial and Noontime Rally
11. Patients Rally for Tom the Nurse at His Trial
12. Tom the Nurse's Case Goes to the Jury
13. San Francisco DA Will Retry Juzbasic Case
14. Jury Selection to Begin Monday in MMJ Provider's Case