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Murder Results from Pot Deal Gone Bad

August 15, 2012

One of the rallying cries of the failed Drug War has something to do with stopping the violence related to illegal drugs. However, the government seems to miss the point when simply legalizing marijuana would prevent many tragedies from occurring. Case in point: the murder of 26-year old Shawn West.

West was with his brother and a friend, parked in a Jack-in-the-Box parking lot waiting to make a big marijuana deal. Shawn West had a pound of marijuana with him when an acquaintance showed up to make the purchase. Before the marijuana changed hands, Andre Powe leaned into the Wests’ car and pointed a gun at them. Supposedly in an effort to protect his brother, Shawn West lept towards Powe and was shot dead.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Andre Powe is on trial for special-circumstance murder. His attorney says West also had a gun. But the surviving West denies there were any weapons present in their vehicle.

Cort Milgrim, the intended marijuana buyer has already pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and to child endangerment for bringing his 14-month old daughter to the encounter. Joel Satchell, who drove Milgrim to the scene, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter.

All of the men in this case were in their late teens or early to mid-twenties on the night of the murder. This wasn’t some Mexican drug cartel deal, or some large cocaine buy. This was about marijuana—a substance less harmful than beer but vilified to the same extreme as heroin in some jurisdictions.

Would this murder have occurred if marijuana was readily available and regulated? It’s not likely. But instead of using cases like this for justification to reduce the money wasted on the war on drugs, the government will use this case and others like it as an example as to why they need to continue the over-funded and over-hyped complete failure of a drug war.

The bottom line is this: marijuana is illegal and governments (especially the federal government) are committed to keeping it that way. Until that changes, people will face harsh penalties for crimes related to marijuana possession, use, cultivation, and distribution.

The government has spent more money trying to repress this plant than they likely spend in any given year on education. It shows where their priorities are.

Fortunately, if you are charged with a marijuana offense, you still have options. Whether you are accused of pot distribution or a robbery in connection with a drug deal—our attorneys may be able to help. Call us today for a free consultation on your case.

Filed Under: marijuana Tagged With: criminal justice, drugs, homicide

  • Brandy Carrasco

    This case was considered a robbery, and therefore, Milgrim was sentenced to 28 yrs in prison……. He had no connection to the gun, and never was even apart of the murder. Milgrim , charged as guilty as the one who pulled the trigger, is ONLY guilty because it was called a robbery. Now, if they remove the robbery charge from Powe’s case ( I have reason to believe it was)
    then shouldn’t Milgrim be released from prison immediately… He has spent his time for his crimes already. Day for day at that. What happens to this sweet silly kid, who made a decision that many of us make every single day!!! And inadvertently be tied to murder….How many of you out there have as a young person or STILL smoke marijuana? How would you want this to go if it were your son/family member. A kid was apart of a weed deal. Which is now becoming legal almost everywhere. Or at least more acceptable. He had no actual tie to the murder, and if the law changed (Felony Murder Rule) or became more clarified of what IS an actual robbery, he would already be out!!! Let take a moment to define the facts……
    A young man is expected to stay in prison for a crime he didn’t actually commit for something that is becoming legalized, while the actual murderer gets the very charge dropped, that is keeping the other one in prison?!?!?!
    Can I say WTF…….
    DOOOOO SOMETHING PLEASE!!! FIX THIS OR TELL ME HOW!!!!

    What happens if he dies in that God awful place……..How is this helping any aspect if this situation!!! This judicial system is way bassackwards!!!
    FREE CORT MILGRIM……… He has served his purpose of an example to all…..

  • Brandy Carrasco

    Please email me any info you may have to help!!!

  • Nicole Larios

    OH FUCK NO! Do not Free him are you kidding me! My niece is being raised without a father now, because these immature pricks lied! My daughter also saw this crime scene! This didn’t have to happen! They were Friends… and if you know anything about the case he was the one who LUERED Shawn there in the middle of the night, which phone records shows. This is absurd. He did the crime, brought his CHILD, so time to do the time!

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