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DA: Slaying is proof of danger of drugs
Top Headlines All over three-quarters of a pound of marijuana worth about $750, authorities allege. "In 10 years' time, who knows where the young men involved in this matter would have been. A profession, a trade, a solid job. We'll never know," Police Chief Arthur O'Neill said during a news conference Wednesday. O'Neill said the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Andrew Colwell, allegedly by Mark Hayden, 19, was a tragedy for both families, and a sad chapter for the town. Prosecutors say Hayden fatally shot Colwell once in the head with a small caliber handgun as they sat in a parked Jeep at Edgewood Condominiums Monday night. He then stole the marijuana Colwell and a friend were planning to sell him before running off, prosecutors said Wednesday. "The lure of easy money, the thrill of an illicit deal. Whatever got them to this point is a tragedy, and this town is poorer for it," O'Neill said. "It's all about choices and, in this case, the wrong choices were made." Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter said he was not surprised there was a murder in a quiet suburb over a small amount of marijuana. "Of the nine murders in Bristol County this year," Sutter said, "four have been over marijuana. Based on what I have seen in Bristol County this year, violence around marijuana is beginning to parallel what we see with cocaine and heroin." He said the image of marijuana as a harmless drug is not accurate and urged residents to oppose efforts at the Statehouse to decriminalize the drug. "It's a nationwide problem. It's not just a Mansfield problem. It's not just a Bristol County problem. It's not just a state problem," Sutter said. Marijuana is the most used illicit drug and nationwide studies have indicated 25 million Americans age 12 and over have used marijuana at least once in 2006, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Although law enforcement officials say marijuana use is the drug of choice and still a problem, national studies say its use among high school-age youth and young adults has stabilized or declined. Annual prevalence of marijuana use has fallen by 33 percent among eighth-graders, 25 percent among 10th-graders, and 14 percent among 12th-graders since 2001, according to the NIDA. In Massachusetts, a statewide ballot initiative and proposed legislation are pending to reform laws regarding the possession of small amounts of marijuana. While they differ in the details, according to Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, both will make possession of small amounts (less than an ounce) a civil offense punishable by a fine rather than a criminal offense in which some people can be sent to jail. But Sutter, who came to office last year on a platform to crack down on drug and gun violence, said efforts to decriminalize marijuana is "a bad idea." "Just look at all the violence that it has led to," Sutter said. DAVID LINTON can be reached at 508-236-338 or at dlinton@thesunchronicle.com.
Post Your Comments Beeastar wrote on Aug 3, 2008 1:33 PM: " In response to this person's comment chiman1111 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 10:03 AM: Right On! In response to crazedkooks wrote on Jul 10, 2008 10:37 AM: Drunk Drivers Alcohol related deaths Alcohol kills ! Nothing good comes out of Alcohol, Cancer patients can ease their suffering by marijuana. It also has healing properties that help several other diseases... such as Cirrhosis of the liver... directly caused by Alcohol. Not to mention all the Domestic violence that has occured as a direct result of Alcohol. Look back at the history of America and durring the time of prohibition. The Prohibition period, 1920 to 1933, had the unintended effect of increasing organized crime in America, as manufacturing, importing, and selling illegal alcohol provided a financial windfall for gangs of criminals in the cities. The money was used to expand the influence of organized crime into gambling, prostitution, narcotics, and some legitimate businesses. Police and judges were sometimes bribed. Not One mention of marijuana " Cambria wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:30 PM: " To respond to jose21, that isn't what I was trying to say. I was simply trying to explain to people who may not understand decriminalization that it will not make it any less of a crime to possess such a large amount of marijuana...that it will not be ok from a legal standpoint. " jose21 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:18 PM: " So how can you justify smoking weed, but then make it sound like having 3/4 pound is not OK? Don't you buy it from people that buy in bulk? Why is Ok for you to have an ounce, but not ok for him to have pound? Is the guy at the liquor store a bad person because hes picking up a 30 pack instead of a 6 pack? For the record, I agree with you that it's not a big deal, shouldn't be illegal, and is no worse than alcohol. I'd even go a step further and say alcohol is far worse. How many deaths have been attributed to weed in the history of the country? Answer = Zero.. People die of alcohol poisoning all the time. Yeah yeah todays pot is much stronger than the pot our parents smoked. Not true! People pay more for the stronger pot; most people stick with the normal weed, about 180 an ounce. Same argument can be made for drinking, obviously 200 proof is going to do more damage than 80 proof, which is the norm for hard alcohol. But anyway, while I feel your pain, I disagree that you can be OK with smoking it but have an issue with people that deal it. " Cambria wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:28 AM: " This article really upset me. I read it, and I couldn't believe how ignorant the district attorney is on the matter of decriminalizing marijuana. Question 2 states, "Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, possession of one ounce or less of marihuana shall only be a civil offense, subjecting an offender who is eighteen years of age or older to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars and forfeiture of the marihuana, but not to any other form of criminal or civil punishment or disqualification." Three-quarters of a pound is a HUGE amount of marijunana. Comparing an ounce to that amount is absolutely ridiculous. Yet, he is urging people to oppose decriminalization based on this incident. I smoke marijuana. I also graduated high school, work two jobs, pay all my bills on time...I have never been in any kind of trouble, yet I constantly feel like I am some sort of criminal. I agree, marijuana is not completely unsafe. Neither is alcohol. Yet no responsible adult goes to jail for being in possession of a 6-pack. This law is will not allow this kind of behavior (three-quarters of a pound will definitely put you behind bars). This law will benefit the people (like me) who like to smoke a joint to unwind after a 15 hour work day, just as some of you like to go home to crack a beer. Remember prohibition? I'm living it. Please vote yes, or at least read up on the subject first. " chiman1111 wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:17 AM: " crazedkooks...Do you really think people who smoke and do drugs are or would be succesful in life I DONT THINK SO. Well if you read about the Victim you would have known that he was in fact always on the honor roll, going to a University and was very well liked by his peers. His family loved him and said he was a very nice young man. Sounds to me he had all the signs of becoming a successful person in life. You sound like a right wing conservative angry at everyone that takes a puff of weed. Mr. Law I am sure your views would change if someone in your life was hurt by a drunk driver, and the only person on sight was a pot smoker who just so happened knew cpr and saved them.Yes weed smokers should be put away yeah ok buddy. Congrats on you drug free life and kids and business. Im sure your kids will try weed one day before you know it. Peace " oldbastard wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:32 PM: " How come the DA is not charging the 3d person who fled?? If he would have come forward at once law enforcement could have possibly avoided using a SWAT team, aerial searches and an all out man hunt. Those of us who lived in the area were scared to death with a reverse 911 call informing us of the situation. These people (the alleged killer and the witness) think that the tooth fairy pays for this. May God bless the victim and his family-please pray for all of them. Thank you !! " Sincere wrote on Jul 10, 2008 4:12 PM: " It's a terrible happening. You can see that the shooter has little or no remorse for what he has done. He jokes with news reporters and thinks it's no biggie. I have never used drugs, thankfully, and never will. Some of you are pro drugs that you consider not dangerous. How about honoring your life and your body? How about not participating in anything that you know would harm your ability to think clearly--for your own safety and well-being in this world? Maybe the victim had been brought up as a good kid; but he obviously chose the wrong path. The same can be said for the other two involved. What path you choose determines how you will live. Please let this be a lesson to think smart, make wholesome, smart choices and have respect for your families and your bodies. " crazedkooks wrote on Jul 10, 2008 4:01 PM: " chiman1111, I place blame for what it is with no excuses he was dealing pot yes, he is to blame as well, but he did not need to be shot in the head for it, that is my point the braincells of these individuals are gone, so rational thinking is also long gone unless you think $750 worth of product is worth a life, I don't. I do not drink, smoke nor have I EVER used or possessed a drug in my 40 years of living nor have I found a need to act like an idiot and be around people who do. I have 3 children and a succesful business, do you really think people who smoke and do drugs are or would be succesful in life I DONT THINK SO. as far as why it bothers me is not for someone I know, but go to a concert or almost any event lately You can smell it or see it being passed around and I don't beleive it is fair for those who dont do it to have to smell it and have a rotten time. Point blank it is illegal in all shapes and forms and those who sell, smoke, or possess it should be thrown in jail as well as those who think it is no big deal. As far as alchohol it is legal now nothing can be done about it except some type of enforcement but Pot is Illegal and that is that. " Ralph Ridiculous wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:14 PM: " But Sutter, who came to office last year on a platform to crack down on drug and gun violence, said efforts to decriminalize marijuana is "a bad idea." "Just look at all the violence that it has led to," Sutter said. What an idiot. Let's see if we can try and remember a time when organized crime was rampant in the alcohol industry... Oh yeah, when it was illegal! Can we please start electing some officials that realize we need to stop flushing money down the drain on the failed War on Drugs? We need to rethink and stop wasting tax dollars. " realist wrote on Jul 10, 2008 12:01 PM: " jj1322 -- You hit that one on the head. " jj1322 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:53 AM: " I'm pretty sure this is about money, greed and a gross lack of values; the weed is just an accessory. " realist wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:47 AM: " Back to the question: What defines a "good kid"? Selling pot from the family SUV doesn't strike me as what the folks in Mansfield would call a good kid. " rach520 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:42 AM: " It's so sad what this world is coming to - two young men losing their lives over $750 in pot. I hope the shooter enjoys his life behind bars replaying that day over and over again and thinks of that poor family that lost their son because of him. Where did they get that much pot anyway? I'm sure the young man that violently lost his life was a good kid but he was a drug dealer. Maybe he wasn't, maybe the pot belonged to the passenger that was with him, but he was still involved. " realist wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:08 AM: " Marijuana is illegal. It is illegal because your elected lawmakers say it's illegal. Since it is illegal cops are supposed to arrest people and DAs are supposed to prosecute. (lets not start a thread on corrupt cops and DAs now). Anyone buying or selling weed is contributing to the support of a criminal enterprise, in spite of Hollywood telling us it's no big deal. You don't like that and want it legalized then vote for people who say they will legalize it. Saying marijuana is legal in other parts of the world or cigarettes kill more people or alcohol is more impairing is hardly germane to the issue. If you are 21 you make use tobacco and alcohol to your heart's content and subsequent failure. Thanks for the tax money, by the way. " chiman1111 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:02 AM: " The LEGAL drug. " chiman1111 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:01 AM: " How can alcohol be blamed for 100,000 deaths each year? 5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol. 15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol. 30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol. 30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol. 30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol. 40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol. 45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol. 60% of all homicides are attributed to alcohol. (Sources: NIDA Report, the Scientific American and Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario.) Also see Alcohol Consumption and Mortality, Alcohol poisoning deaths, CDC report, 100,000 deaths. That's more than a statistic. That is 100,000 individuals with faces. 100,000 individuals with lives not fully lived. 100,000 individuals grieved by mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and children. Every year. " chiman1111 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 10:58 AM: " if weed does not do anything to you why do you act like Jack@#@'s when you smoke it and why do you think anyone else wants to smell it or deal with you when you do it. Sir you obviously have issues with certain people in your life that bother you. To blame weed for the issues you seem so in need of sharing with your bad mouthing and name calling of people is sad. Why not open a can of beer and smoke a butt you might feel better since there is no crime in doing that. And that is coming from a non drinker/smoker/pothead. I wonder how much talk there would be if weed was not in play with this tragedy and it was replaced with um I don't know lets say the new iphone...would you blame technology for the death? The point I am making here is that a murder was committed regardless of what it was for! Drugs,$, what ever. It was not weed that killed it was a murderer with a gun that did!!! " crazedkooks wrote on Jul 10, 2008 10:37 AM: " Ok so to all the pot heads and weed lovers, if weed does not do anything to you why do you act like Jack@#@'s when you smoke it and why do you think anyone else wants to smell it or deal with you when you do it. You really need to remember it is not just you that weed affects it is others. if you can't see that then you have issues and shows how immature and obnoxious you really are. This shooting just goes to show how dumm most pot heads and addicts really are. Yeah shooting the poor kid over $750 really made this guy look like a real tough guy. I think BUBBA will love his new roomate in prison. My opinion is if you smoke it or have it you should go to JAIL no if ands or buts because you contributed to this kids murder in one way or another. " chiman1111 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 10:03 AM: " Marijuana is the most used illicit drug and nationwide studies have indicated 25 million Americans age 12 and over have used marijuana at least once in 2006, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Hmm I thought alcohol was? The DA should check his studies as to the ratio of crime due to weed and compare it to the deaths caused by other "drugs" like alcohol the number one drug that kills more people than any other drug in the world..oh wait that is legal to do my bad. Hmm what about cigerettes? no that is legal to do as well. Hmm yup I guess weed is the big killer. Dammit I should just follow the law and drink beer and smoke cigarettes all day so I can be a law abiding citizen. Bunch of BS!!! Wake up DA thart idiot would have broken the law and killed for money! Its all about money not drugs! Thats why the government legalizes Alcohol even though it kills more than any other drug. Thats why smoking is legal even though it kills more people. The drugs that we sell otc are made so big companies can make a profit for stuff that we dont even need. Have you ever heard of the dam side effects of some of theses drugs companies sell on tv? Internal bleeding,dizzyness, heart tremors, death? I dont remember weed having these effects but lets all blame it on weed! You guys crack me up! " jose21 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:54 AM: " Skeptic - since you know everything, why is weed illegal? How did it become illegal and when? How many people have ever died from it, from doing it, not from being associated with it? This kid died and you're on every story trashing him. There are stories in the paper every week about kids getting kileld in car crashes due to speeding? I don't see you traching them? The kid made mistakes, he didn't deserve to die. Stop being such a heartless pr!ck. " Harry Hindsight wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:50 AM: " Now we know that a human life is worth $750. There is no mention in the article about the legality of posession of the handgun. To whom was it registered to and how did it come into Hayden's posession? If he stole it or bought it illegally. " skeptic wrote on Jul 10, 2008 6:34 AM: " C'mon stoners and other apologists for dealers. Lets tell the man that if it was harder to get guns and weed were legal this wouldn't have happened. Let's write to our liberal Senators and Reps and tell them... Oh wait was was I saying? " or
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