INMATE GETS 40 MORE FOR DOPE

A Payne County jury recommended another 40 years in prison for an
incarcerated man found guilty of possession of marijuana in a penal
institution, according to the district attorney's office.

On Friday, a jury recommended Arthur Donnel Miller, Jr., 37, serve an
additional 40 years in prison for being caught with five bags of marijuana
in his cell. He is serving a 38 year sentence at Cimarron Correctional
Facility for second degree murder.

According to Payne County District Attorney Rob Hudson, guards at the
prison found an unsigned letter addressed to “Donnel” containing
“suspicious information” that eventually led to the search of Miller’s
cell. Miller is the only inmate with the name “Donnel,” Hudson said. Guards
found one bag containing five plastic bags in Miller’s cell. Defense
attorneys said the state had failed to prove the marijuana was Miller’s.
Miller’s cellmate, Eric Thompson, who was also charged and earlier pleaded
guilty, testified the marijuana was his, according to the district
attorney’s office.

He later testified Miller had rolled and smoked the marijuana with him.
Thompson received a 10 year sentence.

Because of Miller’s prior record, the possible range of punishment was 20
years to life in prison for the drug charge.

His formal sentencing will be before District Judge Donald L. Worthington
on Jan. 14, 2000. Hudson said prison officials believe the marijuana was
smuggled into the prison by someone who previously visited Miller. That
matter is still under investigation.