AREA COUPLE BAGGED WITH POT FARM

NEW BRITAIN -- A Wethersfield woman, arraigned in New Britain Superior Court
Monday, said marijuana plants found growing in her home are for personal
consumption to help ease the pain associated with cancer symptoms.

Annmarie Debella and her boyfriend, Paul J. Sevene, both of 84 Brussel Ave.,
were charged with illegal possession of hallucinogens (over 4 oz. of
marijuana), sale of a controlled substance, preparation of a controlled
substance without a license, risk of injury to a child and operating a drug
factory.

Debella and Sevene's home was raided by Wethersfield police who found 700
grams of bagged and growing marijuana. Police also found various instruments
which could facilitate illegal drug cultivation, such as a triple beam scale
and special plant lights. The two were arrested on Aug. 21.

The home, according to prosecuting attorney Louis Luba, "had all the makings
of a growing factory."

In court, Debella's attorney, John O'Brien, refuted the charge that Debella
possessed more than four ounces of marijuana; the legal limit to charge
someone with intent to sell. Police, O'Brien said, included top soil, stems
and roots of the growing plants in their measurements.

"There is not a scintilla of evidence to support (the intent to sell
charge)," O'Brien said.

Sevene's attorney, assistant public defender David Cosgrove, challenged the
amount of plants police claimed to find at the scene.

"It's very difficult to conceal the amount of marijuana plants found upon
the search and seizure," Cosgrove said.

O'Brien told the court that Debella suffers from cancer which he said "might
become part of the defense"; a point which is certainly not an alibi, but
one which Debella feels should mitigate her culpability.

Debella said she suffers from cancer of the liver and kidneys. She takes
vicodin, a pain killer, to help quell nausea and cold sweats. But since the
medication must filter through her diseased liver, Debella said it's hard
for her to consume it. Marijuana helps her to live comfortably, Debella
said. She said her physician, Dr. Paul West of West Hartford, did not
prescribe marijuana to her, but is aware that she smokes it. Growing the
drug, Debella finds, is more affordable to grow on her own, than buying from
dealers. Currently, Debella said she is not employed full-time due to her
illness, and is supported by Sevene, who makes a living building tour buses
for rock groups.

Debella said she believes she is being persecuted by what she describes as a
small-town mentality among Wethersfield police.

"It ridiculous, their trying to label this a major drug factory and say I
sell. This is ridiculous, I smoke it," Debella said. "I don't know if it's a
quiet town and (the police) have nothing else to do."

Originally held by police on $50,000 bond, Debella and Sevene sat in jail
since they were arrested last week. O'Brien asked that Debella be released
on a promise to appear, saying that his cancer-stricken client suffered in
jail, unable to post the $50,000. While locked up, Debella claims guards
would not allow her access to her vicodin and prozac she takes. One prison
guard, Debella said, brought her a wool blanket because she was shivering in
a cold sweat.

Judge William Wollenberg felt some sympathy for Debella, but not totally, as
he modified her bond to a $15,000 cash surety bond.

"So no teenagers were able to buy their marijuana from her this weekend,"
Wollenberg joked.

That comment, Debella said, angered her.

"That really, really made me angry. I have kids. I have a 20-year-old son
and he doesn't smoke. We tell our kids not to use drugs."

Debella said her family is not bad and is liked among neighbors. Sevene,
according to Debella is a youth hockey coach. But she said she might have to
leave Wethersfield because of the stigma associated with smoking marijuana.

"It's sad. It's a small town. You get one person who doesn't understand it
and they won't let their kids around your kids," Debella said.

Sevene was held on $10,000 bond. Both cases are continued until Sept. 16.