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Informant Identified in Fatal Maple Tree/Marijuana Mix-up

Tue, May 20, 2008 11:31 pm


Source: stopthedrugwar.org

 

Radley Balko reports that we might now know the identity of the confidential informant who mistook Japanese maple trees for marijuana, leading to the death of a police officer and murder charges against an innocent man.

 

The informant had a conflict with Ryan Frederick, so he broke into his house, misidentified his plants, and told police Frederick was growing marijuana. When police raided the home, Frederick mistook them for burglars and opened fire, killing a police officer. He's now sitting jail, awaiting trial for killing a cop.

 

This utterly tragic and absurd situation is the natural and predictable byproduct of our mindless war on drugs, which allows incompetent idiots with ulterior motives to provide probable cause for violent police raids.

 

Radley has some background on the case here.



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Update 6/11/08

Jun 11 2008, 5:46 am

There WAS people in the neighborhood who heard the police announcing themselves BEFORE any shots were fired . Ain't looking real good for Fredricks .

Update 5/28/08

May 28 2008, 7:19 am

Fredricks left his bedroom , went to the front of the house and fired 2 shots through the door AFTER police announced themsleves(at least 4 times ) and WHILE the entry attempt was being made .
Chesapeake Police were NOT serving a warrant under the "NO Knock " policy as the information used to obtain the warrant did NOT contain the required conditions for "No Knock" . The detective was killed in the front yard .

Keep in mind , this is the Chesapeake Police Departments version . They may be hiding what really happened , but they also might acually BELIEF this to be the facts . And the same thing goes for Fredricks .

I hope Fredricks lawyer is worth a s--t (feces)
I hope the snitch gets whats coming to him !!

jimbob

May 25 2008, 1:31 pm

He didnt even mention the fact that the Kilo desicion effectivly abolished personal property rights.

Hell, those cops mostlikely thought they had the right and duty to burst in there. Dont let the pesky constitution get in the way.

Id love to have gone with some of my guys, when I was in the military, break down their doors, demand they feed quarter, and cloth my men...at gun point. Mine are bigger than yours....and thats how they think.

I firmly believe I have one, or two choices to be happy, move to northern cali, or become a hermit in some God aweful place no one would dream of coming. But then I feel like that is irresponsible, I dont want to abandon the cause and let them win by attrition.

If the man knew they were cops, he was dumb cause he didnt have anything criminal in his home. It stands to reason anyone who has nothing to hide, would ever just throw down in a gun fight with some cops. this is going to be ugly for those cops and all the people in charge of them, and it's about time.

:o)

May 25 2008, 6:16 am

and don't forget Umm is also C3/weed god/Dog dew and a dozen other " 'tards" posting here .

King

May 25 2008, 12:29 am

End The Drug War!

?

May 24 2008, 7:34 pm

thats one of the reasons he changes the id so much .
the other reason is to agree with him self

Hey Umm

May 24 2008, 7:22 pm

he nailed you again . HAHAHAHA

Reality Check

May 24 2008, 4:54 pm

"Ha , you just contradicted yourself" ?..really ? Lets see.

A claim was made that there was no warrant . (was that you being wrong again ?) I pointed out the link to the info that made reference to the warrant . I just looked and its still there . Do you know what "contradicted" means ?

"ha , you just contradicted yourself" ? ..really ? Lets see.
"the prosecutor is the one saying he was shot in the yard yet the neighors say otherwise " ..? Thats curious .
Because the link you got your info from only says the "neighors" didn't see as many cops at the scene as was reported ... And we still see no contradiction on my part .
I only know of one person on this forum that gets it wrong ALL THE TIME ...............

Iam Yur God

May 24 2008, 3:46 pm

to Reality check,
hah, you just contradicted yourself. 1st off the cop wasnt shot in the yard re-read that article where the link takes you.... was shot at the door guy was in his house aimed at door cause "he saw someone trying to get in through the lower door panels". The prosecutor is the one saying he was shot in the yard. and yet neighors say otherwise, and contradicting accounts from police too as to how many were there at the time it happened. anyways heres a clip from that article of some of the injustice in the so called Justice system.

(((The raid in Chesapeake bears a striking resemblance to another that ended in a fatality. Last week, New Hanover County, N.C., agreed to pay $4.25 million to the parents of college student Peyton Strickland, who was killed when a deputy participating in a raid mistook the sound of a SWAT battering ram for a gunshot, and fired through the door as Strickland came to answer it.

In the case where a citizen mistakenly (and allegedly) shot through his door at a raiding police officer, the citizen is facing a murder charge; in the case where a raiding police officer mistakenly shot through a door and killed a citizen, there were no criminal charges.)))

Double Standards.

Reality Check

May 24 2008, 3:16 pm

Your conclusion about the warrant is in-correct .( click on the last word of the article and it'll take you to more info ) See how easy it is to be wrong ?
I realize you think you'd shoot at "anybody" coming in your house . Sure you're not wrong about that too?
Just suppose you did shoot a cop at your door , knowing it was a cop , you'd be truthful and admitt you knew when arrested ?
I don't think you put much thought into this .

sirsmokealot

May 24 2008, 11:16 am

To add to my comment, it doesn't even mention a warrant ! appearrently they just crashed in and that will get it thrown right out of court.
The real crime here was commited by the police themselves. and that rat fink asshole should die.

sirsmokesalot

May 24 2008, 11:12 am

Bullshit, he is innocent of murder, you can't just break into someones castle even if your an idiot cop. If he has a good laywer he will get off. How did the word of a pissed off asshole generate enough evidence to obtain a search warrant ? This dickhead misidentified the plants as pot , told the pigs and a Judge issued a warrant based on that ? BULLSHIT,COMPLETE BULLSHIT.
If anyone kicks my door in and barges into my castle they will get the same hospitality.

Reality Check

May 24 2008, 10:19 am

I see your point jimbob/i am yur god/ ? However you are assuming the guy is innocent , there really isn't enough of the story here to come to any conclusion . If the guy honestly didn't know he was a cop , I hope he is aquitted .

The prosecutor at the bond hearing stated the dective was shot in the yard and through the door and that Fredricks knew they were there . I don't know how they KNOW he was aware because they didn't go into that .

If the guy was shot in the yard and NOT while busting the door down ......
Thats the other side of the coin . Thats why , as some one has already stated , the investigation needs to be done by somebody not connected .

I know what I would do if awakened in the night fearing a breakin and I know what I'd do if I woke up and saw the law comming .......... I/You don't know Mr. Fredricks .
I hope he is aquitted .

Jimbob

May 24 2008, 9:50 am

Oh, Im Ur God

If you actually read the Kilo decision, you would know that the fed gov't DOES NOT have to use what it takes from you for public works projects any more.

Now they can take your property and give/sell it to a developer, or any private entity that can prove the swap will benifit the tax base of the area of occurance.

Problem 1) Cops scream at the top of their lungs identifying themselves on a no knock. Did they follow the protocol?

if they didnt, and this dude was the kind of guy to nap with a 12Ga. then they have no one to blame but themselves.

Was this guy a normal dude, recluse, dangerous, or prior criminal record? Either way the whole thing stinks, just like the whole fucking system, from city counsels, to the congress. How can we have a healthy government when its full of fat and cancer?

We cant, so good people die, and The Machine keeps chugging.

Reality Check

May 24 2008, 9:41 am

I agree .

Jimbob

May 24 2008, 9:35 am

Awww, well at least your name is correct, big baby. You visit a "head" site and wonder why people pontificate? Sounds like some one got lost on their way to intolerance school.

big baby jesus

May 23 2008, 8:21 pm

gee when did we get so many assholes visiting this site? let me drop my profound thoughts on you (intellectualize) and talk shit cuz my daddy didnt hug me.

Slater

May 23 2008, 8:20 pm

Oh snap.

Reality Check

May 23 2008, 6:19 pm

You apparently have trouble reading the big words ?
What you don't understand is this , try to keep up
1)he is being charged with murder , like it or not .
2)the prosecution can provide , as evidence , a dead cop .
3)What can Mr.Fredricks provide as evidence ? He never reported the prior break in , and his word that he didn't know it was a cop ?
How do you KNOW he didn't know it was a cop ? The answer in case you're confused here , is you DON'T . Neither do I or anyone else on this forum .
Do you honestly think a cop gets killed and the'll take a suspect word that it was self defense ? If he is a murder , do you really think he would say "yea ,I knew it was a cop when I shot ?"... what planet are you on ?

"Clearly what happened " ?
"you dumbass , think before you speak " ?
How about read before you think .......
The last sentence of my post says I hope he gets aquitted . Do you know what that word means ?

Re:

May 23 2008, 3:02 pm

Oh and I'm not the one implying hes a murderer . The people who are charging him for it is implying that .
READ A ANOTHER BOOK

Re; to Iam yur

May 23 2008, 2:59 pm

woulda , coulda , shoulda ....
If you get the chance , go ahead and take it . Let us know how that came out ...if you're able or if they'll let you .
READ A BOOK .

Iam Yur God

May 23 2008, 1:27 pm

to fuck you,

Yeah its a fucked up world we live in.

Property seizure is illegal, violates the constituion. It is theft. Only way government is allowed to take your property is if it is land and only if it is going to get used for public purposes. like roads, a park, or something of that nature, but they have to compensate you for that. Imminent Domain Law.

other property however, like cars, houses, anything material can not be seized legally. Even if it was being used for So-called illegal purposes like growing weed.

I had someone I know have their car seized becuz they were found with marijuana and cocaine in the car and guess what he got a lawyer and got his shit back + money to compensate for him having to get the lawyer to get his shit back to begin with, since it was an illegal aquisition.

Iam Yur God

May 23 2008, 1:11 pm

To Reality Check,

If the cop would have shot him. would the cop be in jail? NO. Why Not? Becuase the law has double standards.

and what is the defintion of murderer? and by you implying he is a murderer you are doing the saMe shit the justice system does PRESUMING GUILT. because you have to prove he killed him with intent to kill him and not out of self defense which is clearly what happened since he was IN HIS OWN HOME. he may have killed the guy but you cant call it murder in any degree. You have the right to protect your property, FROM ANYONE. so with that said he shoudlnt be in jail he should be outside of jail waiting for a court date. CASE CLOSED.

you made me laugh

you dumb ass think before you speak

Re:

May 22 2008, 12:13 pm

to just another nobody :
Would you shoot the guy KNOWING you were shooting at the law ? You see , THATS the charge , thats the question .
What all you people WOULD do has absolutley nothing to do with this guys predicament is NOW .

Just Another Nobody

May 22 2008, 11:04 am

Live and Let Live! Why is everyone so concerned with what you and I are doing? I think that if people just lived their own lives, instead of trying to intrude on others lives the world would be a much better place. Land of the free and the brave! (Scoffs) If you entered my home unannounced and I was caught off guard I would have to say That I would do whatever I thought necessary to protect me and mine.

fuck you

May 22 2008, 9:42 am

if the cops shot him nothing would have happened and the department would say they were just doing their job. its happened so many times before, this is bullshit, if you want to do whatever the fuck you want just get a gun and a badge and let our corporate government cartel back you up. everyone knows its about the money, what do you think will happen to that guy's house, property, and belongings if he gets locked up? the goddamn fucking crooked police will seize it. money, not justice and protection for citizens.

Re:

May 22 2008, 9:29 am

The informabts name is "Steve" (no last name due to ongoing investigation )
"Steve" was dating the sister of Mr. Fredricks fiance .
He is also wanted for charges which include "
1)grand larceny
2)credit card fraud .( he stole and used them )
3) he was supposed to be in court last week over these charges but is on the run . There has been been a warrant issued for his arrest .
Mr. Fredricks claims of a prior burglary can not be verified . He didn't call the police .

NONE of this will matter in determining the crucial question ... Did he KNOW they were cops ?

I am from the Chesapeake area .

Reality Check

May 22 2008, 7:26 am

"and why is the guy even in jail. he shot him in his own home . case closed ." LOL .. thats almost funny .
You kill ANYBODY , even if it was in self defense , there will be an investigation of what happened . You are not exempt from prosecution simply because you own the property .
The cops say he was shot by a man who new there were cops at the door . Cops tell the truth all the time ? ...no

The guy who did the shooting says he didn't know they were cops . Thats probably the case but it would be STUPID to just take his word for it . If he did kill the cop . knowing it was a cop at the time , he wouldn't lie about it ? Murders don't lie do they ?

We've really only heard one side of the story because the law hasn't said very much .
I personaly hope the guy is aquitted .

Mature Adult

May 22 2008, 6:43 am

Damn ! Did all you people get of the same school bus ?

Iam Yur God

May 22 2008, 3:49 am

The cop had it coming to him, he was participating in the "War on Drugs". Even though it was Japanaese Maple...hahaha... and why is the guy even in jail he shot him in his own home, case closed...

¿Innocent until proven guilty, but you have to stay in jail till they have the court date....or until you pay your Kidnaping Ransom Fee (Bail Bond)...

WAKE UP!!!

"Tax is just another word for extortion"
"Arrest is just another word for kidnap"
"Bail is just another word for Ransom"

"Arrest the cops, judges, prosecutors, politicians, who are against Marijuana freedom tax them, and get Bail from their Family"

Slater

May 22 2008, 1:14 am

But I did not shoot the deputy.

digitalnutz

May 21 2008, 6:36 pm

i would of done the same. you see fuckers running around your house at night u shot first ask questions latertexan law a mans home is his castle.po po has to anouce his or her presant .and after someone broke in onec,hell ya i would kill to protect my home and land even from law...............

hell yeah

May 21 2008, 6:18 pm

FUCK THAT COP. I WOULD HAVE SHOT HIS ASS TOO. COMING UP IN MY HOUSE UNANNOUNCED WILL GET ANYONE SHOT, EVEN MY WIFE.

YOU KNOCK ON THE FUCKING DOOR AND ANNOUNCE YOURSELF OR YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO BE FIRED UPON.

AND ANYONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A GUN IN THEIR HOUSE FOR PROTECTION IS JUST WAITING TO BE A VICTIM.

THIS GUY WILL LIKELY END UP BEING FREE, NO JURY SHOULD CONVICT HIM FOR PROTECTING HIS OWN HOME.

Reality Check

May 21 2008, 4:44 pm

to baby jesus :
you don't become a criminal unless you have been found guilty . A life has been taken . There are two sides to the story . An investigation of the facts is an attempt to sort out what happened .
Is the guy guilty just because the cops say so ? ..No .
Is the guy innocent just because he says so ?.. No.

kinder

May 21 2008, 4:31 pm

What is this National Drug Informent month.Just cause a cop
is a cop doesn't make him any smarter any better than anybody else, but lately cops have been acting stupid when
it's only MJ.

big baby jesus

May 21 2008, 4:29 pm

i dont understand how you become a criminal by shooting someone who is burglarizing your home, regardless of their chosen occupation. if the cop had acted like a cop and knocked on the door in his uniform he wouldnt be dead now. if the police continue to behave like criminals running around in the night with ski masks on kicking in doors they deserve to be shot.

Ichikok Fukujima

May 21 2008, 2:28 pm

I wirreu have stack of pancake with extra samurai mapuru syrup on side.

the bear

May 21 2008, 1:45 pm

i would give that dude a medal.

green goblin

May 21 2008, 12:41 pm

I shot the sheriff

unknown

May 21 2008, 9:37 am

a few of my roommates were evicted earlier this year in a "drug raid." based on a tip from an unsubstatiated source, the police in haledon nj got a search warrant for the apartment on the grounds that they would find marijuana, more specifically anything used in the packaging and distribution of the drug i.e. scales, grinders, baggies etc. the warrant approval date was one day before the raid, which came at 1030 in the a.m. and our one roommate was woken up with a gun to his head, and three plain-clothed officers wearing vests asking "where the drugs were." upon searching the apt. (needless to say they flipped every bed, ripped all the posters off the walls, threw your clothes in a big pile on the floor, and emptied all protein powders etc in a drawer) they found only a half ounce a marijuana and a little over 12 separate baggies. they confiscated a grinder, a bowl, and a scale, yet they left our zong bong right where it was untouched on the table. in the same turn the warrant was only for our floor, the second floor; yet the officers upon entering searched both floors. alot of injustice is taking place at the hands of the police these days. they too acted on just an annonymous tip. apparently this also gave them the right to confiscate and impound my friends car, which he will never get back, just because some pussy said that he was selling out his car.(which he was not, and he wasnt even selling period.) all this for a few college kids with no prior record violent or non-violent.

doe john doe

May 21 2008, 9:25 am

i hate cops who no everything until they are dead then you see they knew nothing

John Doe

May 21 2008, 8:24 am

It would be unreasonable to conclude the law wouldn't attempt to throw the book at him . However , it would be unreasonable to assume a human being wouldn't act like a human being when intruders are breaking in under the cover of darkness either . As the business of making drug busts can only be seen as a dangerous occupation , the laws responsibility in the matter is paramount . The ability to read the situation doesn't appear to be a factor in their training and coupled with the merit placeed on the claims of an informant ,with malicious intent ,places responsibility for this tragedy squarely on the shoulders of the law . And as that appears to be the case , it would be prudent for the investigation into this tragedy be performed by someone not involved in it .

TAMMY C

May 21 2008, 3:25 am

put all my sports autographs and everything else you stole back where you found them HARPER you white scum of Canada
The Harper family are nothing but a bunch of thiefs. The P.M of Canada is entering homes with keys when the owners are working to search homes for valuables like large amounts of cash. The prime minister of Canada has the key to every lock in Canada including safes, pad locks, GARAGES, cars and all they do is undermine the victim.

david ortiz

May 21 2008, 3:14 am

Anytime an avoidable tragedy like this happens it should provide food for thought. If the authorities were going in on unsubstanciated information from who knows what kind of informant looking for an undocumented pot farm it would seem that they could call or bullhorn a message to occupant. The owner would not being able to dispose of the growing plants, containers, soil and watering system. There is a good chance the man who shot the police officer would have backed down. Rarely do police need excessive force to arrest pot growers. Cool heads are essential.

such a shame

May 20 2008, 11:58 pm

if weed was legal this poor man wouldnt be in jail and as much as i dislike police, a cop who shouldn't have been killed would be alive today..

think this will change anything? probably noooooooooooot.

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