Prosecutor tried marijuana, witness says

By Mike Donoghue
Free Press Staff Writer

Testimony ended in the 100ton hashish Smuggling trial Thursday, but not
before a University of Vermont assistant professor said the lead prosecutor
in the case had tried marijuana.
The testimony by Robert J. Melamede brought a brief halt to the trial
and an order to the jury from Judge William Sessions to disregard the
professors comment.
After the jury was excused, the professor got a tongue lashing from
Sessions, who said the accusation was the most outrageous statement he had
heard in a courtroom in his 25 year career. The judge warned Melamede he
would be held contempt of court if he made any more accusations
Closing arguments in the trial, which has lasted 34 days, are expected
Tuesday. William C. Greer, 48, South Burlington, Stephen B. Hutchins, 48,
of Colchester, Gregory Stevens, 45, of South Burlington, Glen Koski, 47, of
South Hero and Thomas Cook, 44, of Barre have pleaded innocent to the
charges, including conspiracy to smuggle 100 tons of hashish into North
America. One charge was dismissed Wednesday against Stevens and Koski.
The defense had called Melamede to the stand to try to help Greer, a
:friend and business partner. Melamede also works in the microbiology and
molecular genetics department at UVM. He was one of four defense witnesses.
Melamede, who said he smoked marijuana almost daily, testified Greer
should not be prosecuted in Vermont because he had served about four years
in Canada. Assistant U,S, Attorney David Kirby, the criminal division
chief, took over questioning and eventually asked about unfavorable
comments Melamede has made about people enforcing drug laws.
Melamede's claim came as he was asked whether people were “morally
bankrupt" for enforcing hashish and Marijuana laws.
The professor started his answer by saying Kirby had tried drugs, but
the prosecutor interrupted: “Don’t you start with me....” he boomed, taking
a couple of steps toward Melamede. Defense lawyers jumped up to object.
Sessions ordered the comment struck from the record and lawyers hustled
to the judge's bench for a private conference. Before excusing the jurors
for a few minutes, Sessions told them again to disregard Melamede's comment.
When Melamede later tried to object to Sessions' comments, the judge
said there would be no more editorializing. The jury later returned, and
trial ended a few hours later.