DRUG ACQUITTAL SPARES HSIEH FROM DEPORTATION

A Lubbock man was acquitted Wednesday of a felony charge of possessing
drugs.

Michael Su-yao Hsieh, 22, faced possible extradition to Taiwan if
found guilty of the crime. "My deportation was not written in stone,
but most definite," Hsieh said.

After a Lubbock County jury unanimously cleared him of the charge, he
leaned over in his seat and wept aloud.

"I think justice was done. I thank all of them for giving me a second
chance to reform myself," he said. "Thank God for all of them."

Hsieh told the jury on Tuesday that the drugs were not his, but he
claimed possession because he feared retribution from acquaintances if
he didn't claim responsibility for them.

Hsieh was charged with possessing a controlled substance, a
second-degree felony. He was arrested on the charge in December 1998.