• Font Size    

The top stories on CBS4.com

Burned Teen's Family Staying Positive
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Jury Convicts C. Florida Man In 14 Minutes

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Nov 7, 2009 8:47 pm US/Eastern

Jury Convicts C. Florida Man In 14 Minutes

VIERA, Fla. (CBS4) ― It took a Brevard County jury only 14 minutes to convict 53-year-old Steven Swallick guilty. The self-proclaimed minister claims he smokes marijuana for religious and health reason, but he was found guilty of illegally harvesting 100 pot plants.

Swallick told the judge that he is affiliated with the Hawaiian Cannabis Ministries and that he smokes marijuana and uses it as part of an anointing oil, health drinks, and incense he uses to drive away evil spirits.

The judge in the case, Brevard County Circuit Judge Jim Earp, ruled Swallick would not be allowed to give that testimony in front of the jury. Swallick now faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in December.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Don't Let The Bad Economy Get You Down!

© MMIX, CBS Television Stations Inc. All Rights Reserved.