EX-FELON BECOMES DISTRICT ATTORNEY

UKIAH, Calif. (AP) -- A convicted felon has been elected Mendocino County
district attorney, winning Tuesday's election along with a sheriff who
backs legalizing marijuana.

New District Attorney Norman Vroman, a lawyer who served a federal prison
term for failing to pay income taxes, also favors decriminalization of
marijuana.

Vroman scored a 52 to 48 percent upset victory over Susan Massini, one of
Mendocino County's longest serving district attorneys. She is
president-elect of the California District Attorneys Association.

Sheriff's Lt. Tony Craver won by a 58 to 42 percent margin over challenger
Lt. Phil Pintane. Both sought to succeed retiring Sheriff Jim Tuso.

"I'm very gratified in the trust and confidence that the voters of
Mendocino County have given me," Vroman said today.

Vroman, who contended all along that county voters would overlook his tax
and personal finance problems, pledged "not to betray them, nor violate
their trust."

More than 26,000 votes were cast.

Vroman served a nine-month prison term after being found guilty by a
federal jury of failing to pay federal income taxes. In addition, he piled
up $1.3 million in tax liens, and filed for bankruptcy twice, the most
recent in 1994.

During his 18-month campaign for district attorney, Vroman championed
himself as a "tax rebel." His stance in favor of decriminalization of
marijuana also proved popular in rural areas, where marijuana is the
county's biggest cash crop.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski