PROBLEM 'BAFFLES' PROSECUTOR

Guilty Plea For Drugs In Courthouse

A 19-year-old Rondeau Park man pleaded guilty yesterday to bringing
marijuana into the Chatham courthouse.

Federal prosecutor Tim Mathany told the court he can't understand how
people can commit this crime.

"We have run into a number of these cases this year," he told the
court. "It baffles me why anyone would bring an illegal substance into
a building of justice."

Mathany said Stephen Price attended the Grand Avenue courthouse on
unrelated matters on Oct. 28

While being checked at the weapons screening area, Chatham- Kent
police found Price to be in possession of a small quantity of
marijuana, Mathany said. Duty counsel supervisor David Sandor, who
represented Price, said his client simply forgot it was in his pocket.

Ontario Court Justice Marietta Roberts pointed out marijuana is still
illegal.

"It is not a recreational drug," she said to Price. "To bring it into
the court, it makes me very confident that you are addicted."

Price was given a $250 fine and six months to pay.