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March 20, 2007
By Alan J. Keays Rutland Herald
A Norwich University student who plays in an indoor professional football league is facing a felony charge in Rutland of possessing a half pound of marijuana.
James D. Baker, 22, pleaded innocent Monday in Rutland District Court. He was released after promising to post 10 percent of his $7,500 bail by 4:30 p.m. today.
If convicted, Baker faces up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Baker is a fifth-year senior at Norwich University and also plays professional football with the Rochester, N.Y., Raiders of the Continental Indoor Football League, Steven Zwicky, Baker's public defender, said in court Monday. Baker is listed a defensive end on the team's roster.
Baker was arrested at about 8 p.m. Sunday by police who said the 1994 Oldsmobile sedan he was traveling in was speeding. Police say the car was traveling 47 mph in a 35-mph zone on Woodstock Avenue in Rutland.
Police said after the stop, they could smell marijuana inside the car. Police said they asked for and received permission to search the car. While searching, police said, they found a large amount of marijuana inside a duffel bag in the back seat.
Baker, a passenger in the car, told police that the marijuana belonged to him, city police Officer Earl Post wrote in an affidavit.
"I advised Baker that depending on the weight of the marijuana (it) would determine whether it was a misdemeanor or felony. I further told him that the felony level was more than two ounces," Post wrote.
"Baker replied without being asked any question that the amount of marijuana was a half pound, as he had purchased that much."
Police said a half pound of marijuana has a street value in Vermont of between $1,000 and $1,500.
Baker was held overnight at the Rutland jail for lack of $10,000 bail.
Baker gave his address his parents' home in Brockport, N.Y. He also has an apartment in Northfield during the school year.
Deputy State's Attorney Kevin Klamm argued in court Monday for Baker to be held on $10,000 bail.
"He's bringing a half pound of marijuana into the state from out of state," the prosecutor said. "He has no ties to this area."
The prosecutor described Baker's chances of remaining in school following his arrest as "almost non-existent," adding, "My belief is he won't be in Norwich very much longer."
Zwicky asked Judge William Cohen to release his client on conditions, contending that he was not a risk to flee.
"We don't really know for sure what Norwich is going to do," the public defender added.
Norwich University officials could not be reached Monday evening for comment.
Cohen set bail at $7,500, but said he would allow Baker to be released if he posted 10 percent, or $750. The judge added that he would give Baker until 4:30 p.m. today to post the bail.
Baker's football team, the Rochester, N.Y., Raiders, played their first home game of the season Saturday night, a day before his arrest in Rutland. His team lost the game 62-30 to the Port Huron, Mich., Pirates.
The game was the first played in the Continental Indoor Football League, which was known last season as the Great Lakes Indoor Football League.
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another young life fucked up over assinine laws. for that fuckin DA to stand there and say the kids chances of returning to college because of 8 lids of i'm sure not very good weed is what we need laws against. that prick will use that young kids life for nothing more than to better his own career. asswipe
i was just talkin the other day with a buddy about how they should teach kids about rights in drivers ed. i mean shit, how are these kids gonna learn not to give in to searches. that and REAL drug education, not this DARE crap taught by cops that teach kids to snitch.
By Alan J. Keays Rutland Herald
A Norwich University student who plays in an indoor professional football league is facing a felony charge in Rutland of possessing a half pound of marijuana.
James D. Baker, 22, pleaded innocent Monday in Rutland District Court. He was released after promising to post 10 percent of his $7,500 bail by 4:30 p.m. today.
If convicted, Baker faces up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Baker is a fifth-year senior at Norwich University and also plays professional football with the Rochester, N.Y., Raiders of the Continental Indoor Football League, Steven Zwicky, Baker's public defender, said in court Monday. Baker is listed a defensive end on the team's roster.
Baker was arrested at about 8 p.m. Sunday by police who said the 1994 Oldsmobile sedan he was traveling in was speeding. Police say the car was traveling 47 mph in a 35-mph zone on Woodstock Avenue in Rutland.
Police said after the stop, they could smell marijuana inside the car. Police said they asked for and received permission to search the car. While searching, police said, they found a large amount of marijuana inside a duffel bag in the back seat.
Baker, a passenger in the car, told police that the marijuana belonged to him, city police Officer Earl Post wrote in an affidavit.
"I advised Baker that depending on the weight of the marijuana (it) would determine whether it was a misdemeanor or felony. I further told him that the felony level was more than two ounces," Post wrote.
"Baker replied without being asked any question that the amount of marijuana was a half pound, as he had purchased that much."
Police said a half pound of marijuana has a street value in Vermont of between $1,000 and $1,500.
Baker was held overnight at the Rutland jail for lack of $10,000 bail.
Baker gave his address his parents' home in Brockport, N.Y. He also has an apartment in Northfield during the school year.
Deputy State's Attorney Kevin Klamm argued in court Monday for Baker to be held on $10,000 bail.
"He's bringing a half pound of marijuana into the state from out of state," the prosecutor said. "He has no ties to this area."
The prosecutor described Baker's chances of remaining in school following his arrest as "almost non-existent," adding, "My belief is he won't be in Norwich very much longer."
Zwicky asked Judge William Cohen to release his client on conditions, contending that he was not a risk to flee.
"We don't really know for sure what Norwich is going to do," the public defender added.
Norwich University officials could not be reached Monday evening for comment.
Cohen set bail at $7,500, but said he would allow Baker to be released if he posted 10 percent, or $750. The judge added that he would give Baker until 4:30 p.m. today to post the bail.
Baker's football team, the Rochester, N.Y., Raiders, played their first home game of the season Saturday night, a day before his arrest in Rutland. His team lost the game 62-30 to the Port Huron, Mich., Pirates.
The game was the first played in the Continental Indoor Football League, which was known last season as the Great Lakes Indoor Football League.
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another young life fucked up over assinine laws. for that fuckin DA to stand there and say the kids chances of returning to college because of 8 lids of i'm sure not very good weed is what we need laws against. that prick will use that young kids life for nothing more than to better his own career. asswipe
i was just talkin the other day with a buddy about how they should teach kids about rights in drivers ed. i mean shit, how are these kids gonna learn not to give in to searches. that and REAL drug education, not this DARE crap taught by cops that teach kids to snitch.
