Cass County man kills himself as police investigate marijuana plants at his home- mlive.com
CASSOPOLIS — A Cass County man apparently shot himself as police came to his door during a drug investigation Monday, authorities said.Nels Wilson, 51, was found dead inside his mobile home after Michigan State Police approached his home to question him about marijuana plants found growing outside, according to a news release. Police had flown over Wilson’s property as part of Operation Hemp, a joint venture of the Southwest Enforcement Team and State Police, and spotted more than 130 marijuana plants, including some 8 feet tall, near his trailer and garage, Prosecutor Victor Fitz said.
An officer heard a gunshot from inside the Jefferson Township residence, south of Cassopolis, as they approached, the news release said. They went inside to find Wilson was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, it said.
One hundred thirty marijuana plants will get you up to 7 years in a Michigan prison and a half million dollar fine. If he was charged federally (and for more than 100 plants, that’s likely), he’s subject to 20 years, minimum and a million bucks. If his trailer is within 1000′ of a school, 40 years and 2 million.
Rather than face life as a fifty-year-old in prison, Nels Wilson became the latest victim of marijuana prohibition.
[UPDATE: Courtesy of Sister Sativa, another news report on the story with this illuminating paragraph:
"I would note that there was some indication from family history that we've obtained since the investigation began that he did have some history of depression which may have contributed to the tragic results," says Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. "This is just another sober example that marijuana brings nothing but tragedy."
Hmm, do ya think knowing about that history of depression would be good information to have before you go serve that warrant?
As for the tragedy, it seems that Mr. Wilson was living fairly tragedy-free with his 130 plants until prohibition of marijuana brought officers to his door and the threat of two decades behind bars.]
