Texas teacher Percy Melton found with 53 pounds of marijuana in car, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Percy Melton

/ KYTX

(CBS) HOUSTON - A Texas high school teacher is accused of carrying 53 pounds of marijuana in her car as she traveled on Interstate 10 in Louisiana, CBS affiliate KYTX reported.

Percy Melton, a teacher at Elsik High School, was arrested and taken to the Calcasieu Correctional Center. According to the station, deputies said that Melton was transporting $120,000 worth of marijuana. She has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department, Melton was acting suspicious after being pulled over Tuesday morning and wouldn't allow deputies to search her vehicle. A police dog alerted the officers to the drugs inside the car, and a search revealed two duffel bags full of marijuana, according to the department.

Melton is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, said an Alief Independant School District spokeswoman.

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by malcolm-kyle August 18, 2012 6:01 AM EDT

"To function as the founders intended, our republic requires that the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."
—Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to William Stephens Smith, November 13, 1787

Fortunately we are left with one last peaceful avenue for change: Jury Nullification.

Jury Nullification is a constitutional doctrine that allows juries to acquit defendants who are technically guilty but do not deserve punishment. All non-violent 'drug offenders' who are not selling to children, be they users, dealers or importers, clearly belong in this category.

If you sincerely believe that prohibition is a dangerous and counter-productive policy, then you must stop helping to enforce it. You are entitled to act according to your conscience: Acquit the defendant/s if you feel that true justice requires such a result. You, the juror, have the very last word!

* It only takes one juror to prevent a guilty verdict.
* You are not lawfully required to disclose your voting intention before taking your seat on a jury.
* You are also not required to give a reason to the other jurors on your position when voting. Simply state that you find the accused not guilty!
* Jurors must understand that it is their opinion, their vote. If the Judge and the other jurors disapprove, too bad. There is no punishment for having a dissenting opinion.

"It is not only [the juror's] right, but his duty ... to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court." —John Adams

We must create what we can no longer afford to wait for: PLEASE VOTE TO ACQUIT!

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