ACCUSED COULD FEEL - AND SMELL - THE SUPPORT

They came in a pack, many adorned in hippie clothing with dreadlocks
in their hair and happy-go-lucky spirit about them, to support the
Holy Smoke Four.

This crowd of 15 or so colourful characters could be spotted milling
around the courthouse during the frequent recesses of the drug
trafficking trial last week and added to the unique atmosphere
surrounding the case.

"The support really felt good Lots of pats on the back and lots of
prayers people were telling me," said co-accused Paul DeFelice
following the end of testimony Friday.

Among the supportive audience was a particular man who drew attention
to himself for rather odiferous reasons.

"I don't know if I should mention the one supporter that we might
have done better without," said DeFelice. "I noticed the press and
people had trouble with, we could maybe call him a wilderness
dweller, who came out of the woods to support us but probably hasn't
visited a shower in awhile."

DeFelice said he still appreciated the prayers and support of the man
whose personal scent - a heady combination of marijuana, campfire and
some variety of fish - permeated the courtroom to the point that
witnesses and audience members wretched during two days of testimony.

"People gave him a lot of room and I fortunately or unfortunately
have a bit of a nasal problem so I could talk to him and be
close. He's definitely a strong supporter though," said DeFelice,
noting he and his fellow accused have support from all sections of
society. "The sad story is he's a brilliant and a smart person but
unfortunately his hygiene makes it difficult to be around."