LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – The trial over Nebraska’s medical marijuana ballot initiatives — underway even as voters were casting ballots on the issue — hit an end point Monday as attorneys presented their closing arguments.
Judge Susan Strong will now take the case under advisement, asking for remaining briefs to be filed quickly so the state Supreme Court has time to handle the expected appeal.
The trial centers around what some believe to be tainted signatures on the pair of petitions certified by the Secretary of State in September. Several people are already under indictment.
The woman behind the push to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska took the stand Monday in Lancaster County Court. She repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right when questioned.
Both sides have focused on a lack of time being a prime factor in why the trial is struggling to reach a conclusion. And the judge has agreed with that assessment.
With the time allotted by the judge — briefs are due in mid-November — a ruling and decision could come as early as Tuesday, Nov. 19. Judge Strong said it’s a precaution in case the ruling is repealed.
Last week, the court heard from Michael Egbert, 66, of Grand Island, who is facing charges in Hall County for allegedly forging signatures on both Medical Marijuana petitions with names from a phone book. They also heard from Jennifer Henning, an Omaha petition collector who said she didn’t sign pages in front of notary — and has also been previously convicted of fraud.
Also last week, plaintiffs asked Judge Strong for a restraining order to be placed on the initiative, essentially stopping Nebraskans from voting on it. The judge said she didn’t believe she had the authority to stop the election with a temporary restraining order.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA TRIAL
—
Get the latest breaking news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for 6 News email alerts.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.