JURY REJECTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEFENSE

Corning Couple, Chico Man Guilty

RED BLUFF - Three marijuana gardeners, including a Corning couple,
were convicted of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale by
a Tehama County jury this week.

The jury found Gerald Malley, 57, of Corning, and his wife, Dawn
Malley, 47, guilty of cultivation of marijuana and possession of
marijuana for sale. Jeremy Youngren, 36, of Chico, was found guilty of
cultivation of marijuana, according to the Tehama County District
Attorney's Office.

The three defendants claimed to be growing marijuana collectively with
others pursuant to the medical use statutes. However, testimony that
the defendants were growing far more than any legitimate medical need
apparently swayed the jury, according to the Tehama County District
Attorney's Office.

The investigation revealed 44 budding plants at two locations and more
than 20 pounds of dried and drying marijuana.

Officers testified that the estimated yield of the plants alone would
have been more than 150 pounds. Law enforcement sources approximate
the street value of the marijuana at $960,000.

The Malleys could face up to three years and eight months in state
prison, and Youngren could face up to three years.

The joint investigation involved California State Parole agents,
Tehama County District Attorney Investigators and sheriff's deputies
at two different sites on Bosque Avenue and Glenn Road in the Corning
area.

Judge Edward King will sentence the defendants at 8:15 a.m. on Sept.
13. Deputy District Attorney Lynn Strom prosecuted the case, which was
defended by Jesus Rodriguez of Chico and Red Bluff public defenders
Ronald Mclver and Thomas Hilligan.