A New Orleans potential jury of men and women weren’t convinced that Antoine’s server Jabar Kensey should face a felony marijuana charge in Criminal District Court on October 8, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate reported.
Kensey was arrested on Bourbon Street last January and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after he was allegedly found with weed contained 17 individual baggies and $100 in cash, according to the newspaper.
Judge Waldron halted the jury selection process after 20 out of 25 potential jurors were dropped, with the judge emphasizing jurors who voiced their opinions on “whether or not (marijuana) should be the subject of criminal laws outlawing it,” the newspaper reported.
Under a plea agreement, prosecutors instead agreed to amend Kensey’s felony charge to a misdemeanor.
Kensey also agreed to spend 12 weekend days in jail and forfeit the $100 in cash he had with him on Bourbon Street last January.
Citing Stavros Panagoulopoulos, Kensey’s attorney, the newspaper reported that Kensey could have faced between 15 to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Kensey already has a conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one for simple burglary, both felonies.