The trial for a Chico couple charged with money laundering and criminal marijuana possession has been set for Oct 10.
Hector and Zoila Rodriguez were charged Nov. 26, 2013, after police found 157 pounds of marijuana in their residence.
Police were called to the Rodriguez home after their son, Hector Rodriguez Jr., shot and killed an intruder trying to break into their house. Police would determine Hector Rodriguez Jr. acted in self-defense but later came to believe the family had been laundering money.
As a result of the investigation, the Rodriguezes were charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and money laundering. If convicted of all charges, the couple could face almost a decade in prison. The husband and wife individually pleaded not guilty on July 15, 2015.
Judge Tamara Mosbarger will preside over the case. The Butte county district attorneys will prosecute. Chris Carlos will act for the defense.
Carlos will argue the Rodriguezes had the marijuana for medical purposes.
"Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez have numerous injuries and illness and use marijuana pursuant to the medical marijuana recommendations issued by their doctors,” Carlos stated to the court.
As a result of the investigation, the Rodriguezes were charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and money laundering. If convicted of all charges, the couple could face almost a decade in prison. The husband and wife individually pleaded not guilty on July 15, 2015.
Judge Tamara Mosbarger will preside over the case. The Butte county district attorneys will prosecute. Chris Carlos will act for the defense.
Carlos will argue the Rodriguezes had the marijuana for medical purposes.
"Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez have numerous injuries and illness and use marijuana pursuant to the medical marijuana recommendations issued by their doctors,” Carlos stated to the court.
At the trial, the defense expects to call expert witnesses to testify about medical marijuana distributors keeping supplies at home and in plastic bags.
Prosecution witnesses are likely to include law enforcement officers to refute some of the defense's claims, according to court documents.
By George Johnston