Metal Church Bassist Convicted of Growing Marijuana, Found Not Guilty on Organized Crime Charges

Posted on Aug 21st 2012 11:05AM by Kenneth Partridge Comments

SickBoy.com

Former Metal Church bassist Stephen Wesley Ungerbuehler has been found guilty of growing marijuana, Washington's News Tribune reports, and while that makes him a convicted felon, he's likely breathing a sigh of relief.

Ungerbuehler -- who professionally goes under the name Steve Unger -- had also been facing a pair of more serious charges, and had the jury in Tacoma found him guilty of money laundering or leading organized crime, he might have gone to jail for as long as five years.

Instead, he was hit with one count of "unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance," a crime he more or less admitted to by testifying that helped a friend stricken by cancer grow pot for medical purposes. The rocker copped to cultivating more than 15 plants, which is the maximum licensed growers are allowed by law, but since he has no prior criminal record, he could walk away with zero to 90 days in prison.

"The big ones went away," said Ungerbuehler, smiling as he left the courthouse.

Prosecutors subsequently sought to jail the musician while he awaits sentencing, but Judge Frank Cuthbertson denied the request, allowing Ungerbuehler to add a rider to his bail and remain a free man.

Ungerbuehler was a member of Metal Church from 2004-2009 and played on the band's The Weight of the World (2004), A Light in the Dark (2006) and This Present Wasteland (2008) albums.
Filed under: News

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Malcolm Kyle

Do you hate the idea of corrupt public officials and the whole criminal fraternity laughing their way to the money launderer? Then fortunately for you there is one last peaceful avenue for change: Jury Nullification.

Jury Nullification is a constitutional doctrine that allows juries to acquit defendants who are technically guilty but do not deserve punishment. All non-violent 'drug offenders' who are not selling to children, be they users, dealers or importers, clearly belong in this category.

If you sincerely believe that prohibition is a dangerous and counter-productive policy, then you must stop helping to enforce it. You are entitled to act according to your conscience: Acquit the defendant/s if you feel that true justice requires such a result. You, the juror, have the very last word!

* It only takes one juror to prevent a guilty verdict.
* You are not lawfully required to disclose your voting intention before taking your seat on a jury.
* You are also not required to give a reason to the other jurors on your position when voting. Simply state that you find the accused not guilty!
* Jurors must understand that it is their opinion, their vote. If the Judge and the other jurors disapprove, too bad. There is no punishment for having a dissenting opinion.

“It is not only [the juror's] right, but his duty … to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court.” —John Adams

We must create what we can no longer afford to wait for: PLEASE VOTE TO ACQUIT!

August 22 2012 at 4:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
stvhndyman

Pot being illegal is big business... defense and prosecuting attorneys, judges and all the associated support, jails-sublet to private businesses and what they charge the local, state, and fed gov for their services. Even the bus and taxi services to take "visitors" of inmates.
And as someone mentioned earlier, the pharm. companies pushing their drugs that pot would do better and cheaper.
Yep keeping pot illegal is BIG business.

August 22 2012 at 2:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
busteriguana9

This is stupid, just legalize it already.

August 22 2012 at 2:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brennemanbelkin

Legalize pot.

August 21 2012 at 11:52 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
johnjhenry1

Once again, our God damn government at work, put potheads in jail and let murderers go free.

August 21 2012 at 11:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wesnwendy

Growing a freakin plant is a FELONY?!! HUH?!
This is why there is no room in our prisons for REAL criminals. Ya know, people who actually HURT people!! Idiot laws!

August 21 2012 at 9:48 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
DAVID LEAVELL

People are just now finding out that our society is created by lawyers for lawyers, so don't look for pot to be legalized anytime soon, too many lawyers making a living from the folks that get busted.

August 21 2012 at 9:35 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
reblenj

Our marines are growing opium in Afganistan, why are they not being arrested. Don't believe it? Here is the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_54LJMwG4E

August 21 2012 at 9:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hpyhrt2322

took percocet after surgery vicodine was suppose to be use after the percocet was used up mother nature provides me with my meds <====>~~~ and I don't have to worry about so many side effects... so wtf Washington get a clue its less harmful than two drugs that are legal alcohol and tobacco.... you can't overdose on pot.... tried didn't work lol

August 21 2012 at 8:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LolaMarie

You go Dude!

August 21 2012 at 8:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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