SIMPSON BEGINS OWN DEFENCE

AMHERST - During his six years on the job, RCMP Const. David Baldwin
has never known a hemp grower to tell police where he or she intended
to grow their crop.

That's what the jury heard during day two of the Supreme Court trial
versus Rickey Simpson, a man who believes he has the cure for cancer
and is charged with one count each of possession of marijuana,
possession of cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking and
unlawful production of marijuana.

Taking his initial crack at self-representation, Simpson
cross-examined Baldwin, the first witness for the Crown.

"Were you aware, that on May 6, 2005, three months prior to the raid
on my house, that I had given to the RCMP videotaped evidence
detailing cancer patients and their use of THC?" asked Simpson.

"I had heard about it after (the raid), but I have never seen it,"
responded Baldwin from the witness stand.

"Can you think of any reason why the RCMP would act on a tip from an
informant and not on the tape I provided three months prior to the
raid?" Simpson asked.

"I can only comment on what I did, which was act on the tip," Baldwin
said.

Simpson then proceeded with a series of questions pertaining to
doctors prescribing medicinal hemp and the medicinal benefits to
cannabis plants, all of which were objected to by Crown attorney
Monica McQueen, who said the questions called for speculation on
Baldwin's part.

Offering Simpson some guidance, Justice Felix Cacchione told Simpson
he may want to go about rephrasing his questions.

"You're asking him to put himself in the mind of a physician.something
that is impossible for him to do," said Justice Cacchione.

"The object, or purpose, of the cross-examination is to bring out the
facts that are relevant and the trustworthiness of the witness. It's
not a forum to make an argument or to present your case - that has to
come from the witness box, under oath."

The trial resumes today