MADISON – A Lac qui Parle County case that has attracted national attention in the debate over medical cannabis returns to court next week.
Angela Brown, 38, of Madison, will appear Wednesday morning in District Court in Madison for a hearing on two gross misdemeanor charges: endangering a child − permitting to be present when possessing a controlled substance and contribute to the need for child protection or services.
She is accused of giving her 15-year-old son Trey medical cannabis to treat his pain from a traumatic brain injury.
Her attorney announced Thursday that he will enter motions to dismiss the charges against her during the hearing. Michael R. Hughes, of Bend, Oregon, said he will file one motion arguing that there is not probable cause for the charges against her. The second motion will argue that the court should dismiss the charges “In the Interest of Justice,’’ according to a news release issued by Hughes on Thursday.
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Angela Brown has appeared on the national television show “The View” and both state and national news programs. There is an online petition asking that the charges be dismissed.
On her Facebook page, Brown said she expects that supporters and both state and national media will be present for the hearing.
Brown has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In a September 29 court appearance, Hughes said that his client declined an offer for a one-year stay of adjudication if she pleaded guilty.
Under a stay of adjudication, no conviction appears on a defendant’s record if the person complies with all terms of probation.
Brown refutes the charge of child endangerment, responding that is doing what she can to help her son.
If convicted on both charges, she could face up to two years in prison and a $6,000 fine.
