MAN CHARGED AT HEMP RALLY WITH PULLING GUN ON POLICE

A New Hampshire man was arrested yesterday, police said, after he pulled a
loaded gun on officers who were about to book him for possession of
marijuana. Boston police said Kevin Lavalliere, 19, of Goffstown, N.H., was
about to be charged at a mobile processing unit on Boston Common during the
annual Hemp Festival when he drew the gun on Sergeant Dan Linskey, who was
standing nearby. But Linskey, police said, jammed his finger in the gun's
trigger, preventing Lavalliere from firing.

Several officers then subdued Lavalliere and removed the gun. "He endangered
many lives," said Boston police spokesman Peter Norton, referring to
Lavalliere. "And if it weren't for the brave actions of Sergeant Linskey and
the other Boston officers, many people may have been hurt." Officers said
the gun, a 9mm handgun, was loaded and the safety device was off at the time
Lavalliere pulled it.

There were 72 arrests at this year's pro-marijuana rally. The incident
occurred at 2 p.m. amid a crowd estimated at 40,000. Norton said Lavalliere
was wanted on an outstanding warrant in New Hampshire for distribution of
crack cocaine.

He was being held without bail pending his arraignment today, at which he
will be charged with assault with intent to murder, assault, possession of a
firearm with an altered serial number, and drug possession.

Linskey told Norton that he was not sure how he got his finger jammed into
the trigger. "He said his finger was quite sore afterward," Norton said.
"And he told me that Lavalliere could have killed us all."