DRUG FELON BEGS JUDGE: 'MORE TIME AND I'LL DIE'

A convicted drug felon begged a judge for mercy yesterday morning,
claiming further jail time would be tantamount to a death sentence.

"What do you want me to do, judge? I'm finished," said Joseph Lynden
Andrews. "You sentence me to any more time, and I'm going to die."

Andrews' impassioned plea came after lawyers completed their
submissions on his sentencing for a conviction of possession of
cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

HIGH-GRADE COKE

A 63-year-old resident of Langley, B.C., Andrews was arrested just
outside Winnipeg on Feb. 2, 2002.

He was busted with two kilograms of high-grade cocaine with an
estimated street value of between $200,000 and $300,000 after police
pulled over his rented Chevy Tahoe as part of their month-long
investigation.

Andrews has a record dating back to 1963, including convictions for
fraud, weapons charges, assault, and criminal harassment.

In 1993, he was extradited to Massachusetts to face conviction for
assault and battery charges. He received a suspended sentence that has
since been breached, and could face a second extradition to the U.S. to
serve the time that's now owed, Crown attorney Ian Mahon said.

When given a chance to address the court, Andrews said he was "totally
embarrassed and remorseful and ashamed," claiming his crimes were
necessary for his "survival in the world."

He then launched into a diatribe about the shoddy medical treatment
he's allegedly received while being held at the Winnipeg Remand
Centre, claiming his failing health was ignored and he was forced to
sleep in soiled sheets for months while awaiting surgery.

"Laying in all that blood and piss ... that's beyond cruel and unusual
punishment," he said.

Judgment on the matter was reserved until today.