Church of Universe loses house, pair get jail

[Euphoric]

Church of Universe loses house, pair get jail

(Apr 26, 2008)

A Hamilton judge has hammered Church of the Universe founders Walter Tucker and Michael Baldasaro, sentencing them to hefty jail terms and ordering the seizure of their east-Hamilton headquarters.

In a strongly worded decision, Superior Court Justice John Cavarzan said, "544 Barton St. E. is a marijuana convenience store that operates for profit like a prohibition-era speakeasy, but disguised as a church."

Cavarzan sentenced Baldasaro, 58, who has 12 prior trafficking-related convictions, to two years in a federal penitentiary on two counts of marijuana trafficking, involving about 2.5 grams worth $30. He handed Tucker, 75, a 12-month jail sentence for three counts of trafficking, involving $40 worth of pot.

The pair were convicted in November after selling small quantities of marijuana to an undercover police officer between May 2003 and February 2004.

Cavarzan ordered their church headquarters forfeited to the Crown as "offence-related property" under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The jailed pair have 30 days to have their personal effects removed from the building.

Tucker and Baldasaro established the Church of the Universe in 1969 in Puslinch. Since that time, they have ceaselessly advocated for the legalization and recognition of marijuana as a socially beneficial and health-giving herb.

But Cavarzan stressed this was not a case of simple possession, but of drug trafficking, which the Supreme Court of Canada has stated is a serious offence. He noted that the pair ran a commercial enterprise that had attracted violent crime in the past, including the attempted robbery of Tucker by two armed men looking for his cache.

Tucker, who is hard of hearing, told the judge he was disappointed at being sent to a provincial jail while Baldasaro would be serving federal time. Placing his arm around his longtime friend, Tucker asked, "Why don't you sentence me to the same time as Reverend Baldasaro? Because if he deserves two years, then I deserve it too."

http://www.thespec.com/printArticle/360400

Euphoric added 6 Minutes and 27 Seconds later...

Church leader seeks bail pending pot-case appeal

May 20th 2008

The lawyer for Church of the Universe founder Michael Baldasaro is seeking bail pending appeal from the convicted Hamilton man.

Defense counsel Peter Boushy said the bail application in the Ontario Court of Appeal involves only Baldasaro, who is serving two years in prison for trafficking $30 worth of pot. Church co-founder Walter Trucker is also serving 12 months for trafficking $40 of pot.

A judge issued a forfeiture order last month and police seized the church;s Hamilton headquarters as "offence-related property."

Boushy is seeking a stay of that order and for Baldasaro to be allowed to move back into the church, which is his home.

Trucker, 75, and Baldasaro, 58, were convicted last November after selling marijuana, which church members use as a sacrament, to an undercover officer.

From the Toronto Star, Tuesday, May 20, 2008 edition