Man Is Found Guilty In Marijuana Case

NEW YORK -- Matthew Ducheneaux was convicted Tuesday of marijuana
possession in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Mr. Ducheneaux was the subject of a Wall Street Journal article Tuesday on
Constitutional Amendment A, a South Dakota initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot
that would authorize criminal defendants "to argue the merits, validity and
applicability of the law, including the sentencing laws."

Proponents cite Mr. Ducheneaux, a quadriplegic who smokes pot to quell
pain, as the type of defendant it is intended to benefit. Under current
law, public defender Chris Moran was barred from arguing that Mr.
Ducheneaux had a medical necessity that justified his actions. Mr.
Ducheneaux received a suspended sentence of five days in jail. Mr. Moran,
who said jurors told him they convicted his client only reluctantly, said
he would appeal.