Posted on 07/25/2008 8:49:03 PM PDT by bamahead
After being caught twice with a "baggie" of marijuana, 23-year old Rachel Hoffman was reportedly told by police in Tallahassee, Florida that she would go to prison for four years unless she became an undercover informant.
The young woman, a recent graduate of Florida State University, was murdered during a botched sting operation two months ago.
"The idea of waging a war on drugs is to protect people and here it seems like we're putting people in harm's way," said Lance Block, a lawyer hired by Rachel's parents.
The Florida Attorney General's office says it is reviewing the procedures and protocol of the Tallahassee police.
"I'm calling her a criminal," Tallahassee police chief Dennis Jones told 20/20, who maintains that both drug dealers and drug users are considered criminals to his department.
Under Florida law, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a felony.
The Tallahassee police chief says Rachel was suspected of selling drugs and she was rightly treated as a criminal.
"That's my job as a police chief to find these criminals in our community and take them off the street, to make the proper arrests," Jones told 20/20.
Rachel's case also is raising questions about how police recruit and use informants in undercover operations.
"There need to be some safeguards here," said Block, the Hoffman family lawyer.
The young woman received no training before being sent to an undercover meeting to buy a large amount of drugs and a handgun from two suspects.
Police says Rachel was killed by the very handgun she was supposed to buy.
"I don't think she understood the risk or danger that she was in," said Block.
Rachel was in a drug court diversion program when she became an informant.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
You sure seem to have a vested in this girl. I guess you can really relate to her situation?
That story really got to me. They went downstairs to plant drugs while she was dying. It later came out that the cops who were shot in that incident were hit by their fellow officers.
Uh oh, you’re bringing up facts that might tarnish the little angel’s reputation.. Better stop! :)
You don’t get it.
All I care about is this country living up to the freedoms we have and not allowing taliban wannabees like you to infringe upon them.
I am a transplant and for the last two years, a cancer patient. You wouldn’t BELIEVE the arsenal of crap I have been prescribed - oxycontin, morphine, dilaudid, ambien, oxycodone, phenergan, valium, (I could go on and on). All of this stuff is good but pot is bad. Right................
Sometimes I think we deserve the crap that comes our way because we are so stupid.
Her own friend admitted she was a drug dealer. She was arrested and charged with possession of ecstasy with intent to sell.
Read.
So you’re for legalizing all drugs, not just the ones you like right? If you’re so into ‘freedom’ and stuff. Sounds like you’re just a hypocrite though to me. Drugs for me, not for thee..
Don’t get me wrong, I am not an anticop bot. I take it case by case. But the scenario I laid out has happened way too many times.
CHARGES. She was convicted, was she?
It renders them impervious to facts.
Oh my, that really hurt. Did you think that one up all by yourself?
I can relate to the stupidity of the war on drugs. Anyone with half a brain can.
I also hate what the cops did to this girl. She had no training and no business doing this crap.
They will pay - watch and see.
Caught in possession.
People like you scare me.
Yes but all know that all law enforcement could never do wrong, could they?
I actually feel sorry for anyone who is a clean cop. Their life must be hell nowdays.
No,evidently you have a comprehension problem.
I am for legalizing pot and hashish. This is the 3rd time I posted it, pay attention.
You still haven’t answered my question, how many people overdose on pot each year?
Hint, its less than how many people die from peanuts, or bee stings, or dog attacks.
They aren’t going to pay jack, you watch. This girl is basically a suicide by stupidity.
Ok, so you want your drugs legal, but not those that others use.
Hypocrite.
She was an experienced drug dealer with multiple arrests.
But no conviction so technically she did no crime, did she?
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