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 ...
Hitler's private doctor kept him shot up with speed. You could party with him if he were alive today.
She looks like a typical 22 year old to me.
Maybe we can get some autopsy photos of her, so you can get a real kick.
Nice diversion, are those pictures of someone who smokes pot, or does Meth?
Stay focused, otherwise, your silly arguments just look more silly.
Hey, you called her a dummy first. I was just agreeing.
There are laws against selling pot and Ecstacy in all fifty states. You think Obama Messiah the pothead will change that?
Actually, obama is their best chance to get drug legalization kickstarted.
It’s actually been a dead issue for awhile now.
The Singapore numbers come from the Government of Singapore itself. Let's see you back your statement up, if you can.
Was the female drug dealer who cut a deal with the police only smoking pot?
Socialism is a small price as long as they can get loaded.
Stay focused, you are bringing Obama and ecstacy into this, its a sign that you have a very weak argument, because you can’t stay focused.
I’ll ask you again, how many people overdose on pot each year?
How many die of dog bites, bee stings, peanuts or other food allergies?
Come on, don’t be cowardly, answer the question and stay focused and on the subject. It would add greatly to your credibility.
If I understand you correctly God wins and I lose. How do you figure that? I don't advocate using drugs. The issue is crime and punishment. What constitutes that?
Not many people have ever od’d on acid or lots of illegal drugs.. shrooms for instance.
That’s not the only qualifier to make something illegal or not.
She was caught dealing Ecstacy. Obama is a brain damaged pothead.
Google godwin’s law
Hitler, Hitler, Hitler!!!
Actually, as I read the (poorly written) news stories, it's more like...
"Be suspected of dealing pot and Ecstasy, and you'll be threatened with prosecution unless you agree to perform unpaid dangerous labor for the State."
You know, "slavery or imprisonment...your choice, kiddo!"
If I had my way, anyone (like you) who proposed any government action which makes criminals out of people who merely ingest substances that you don’t approve of should be given a swim in a nice vat of boiling oil. Others’ lives are NOT YOURS to dispose of, now or ever. Get over yourself. Though I have never in my life smoked a joint or used any but the “approved” recreational substances (tobacco and alcohol), I would spit on you if you were my boss and wanted me to piss in your bottle. You are a disgusting control freak and worthy of nothing but bankruptcy and the debtor’s prison.
Again, stay focused.
Obama has nothing to do with this, nor does ecstacy.
I have posted about pot.
I have asked you a question several times, and you have yet to find the courage to answer it. Says lots about you!
You ran out of arguments, its apparent, now you only repeat your tired rants and attempt to divert from the subject with new subjects.
Focus,stay on the topic.
Be arrested for dealing pot and Ecstasy after being caught repeatedly.
Since the drug alcohol is the biggest killer of them all, what qualifies that for being legal?
Take your time.
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