Bob Marley's Daughter Pleads Guilty to Growing Marijuana
To slightly adjust an old saying, the seed pod doesn't fall far from the ... plant. The youngest child of Reggae legend Bob Marley has admitted to growing marijuana in the basement of her Caln, Pennsylvania home. On September 7, Makeda Jahnesta Marley plead guilty to charges of manufacture of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.
When police were called to her home on a domestic disturbance call in September of 2008, according to the West Chester Daily Local News, Marley was arguing with her tenant Howard Stinson over whether she would let him collect his belongings before being tossed off the premises. When police first declined to intervene in a "civil" matter, Stinson conveniently turned the matter into a criminal issue by accusing Marley of growing pot in the basement.
At some point during the ensuing search, Marley attempted to sneak the plants past the police, but was caught. She was relieved of 11 marijuana plants plus a variety of instruments used to grow the crop.
According to the Local News, Marley's trial was set to start on Tuesday the 7th, but she instead completed a plea agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to the charges of manufacture and tampering. As with any plea bargain, it must be done with a knowing and voluntary waiver of rights by the defendant. Accordingly, Judge Tomas G. Gavin questioned Marley at the hearing to ensure she understood the rights she was giving up in exchange for her plea.
Assistant District Attorney Carlos Barraza, told the Local News he had agreed to withdraw a mandatory one year prison sentence based on the amount of marijuana Marley had in her basement in return for the guilty plea. However, Makeda Jahnesta Marley still faces the possibility of prison. State sentencing guidelines allow for probation to a minimum of nine months in county prison for these crimes.
Reportedly, Bob Marley's daughter has used up the trust fund left by her father. She told the judge in her case she is currently working as a waitress.
Related Resources:
- Bob Marley's daughter pleads guilty to drug charge (AP)
- Plea Bargaining: State Provisions (FindLaw)
- Pennsylvania Marijuana Laws (FindLaw)