SASKATOON – A former university football player facing drug trafficking charges will learn his fate in a Saskatoon courtroom next week. Seamus John Neary was in court Friday for the closing arguments in his trial.
He was arrested in February 2014 after police seized 13 pounds of marijuana from a storage locker and one pound from his apartment. Neary was a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team at the time.
In court Friday, defence lawyer Chris Lavier argued that a friend of Neary’s came to Saskatoon with 18 pounds of marijuana and Neary was storing it in the storage locker for him. Lavier said he believed his client had the incorrect belief that this action was “quasi OK.”
READ MORE: Saskatoon marijuana dispensary founder to lead human rights complaint
Lavier summarized Neary’s testimony on Friday as well. He said Neary admitted he took five pounds of pot from the storage locker because he believed his friend possessed more than he was allowed to by his medical marijuana license. Neary said he sold four pounds and kept one to himself.
Prosecutor Wade McBride countered Friday that the storage locker was a stash spot and the bags of marijuana were marked for potential sale. At one point, the judge asked Lavier if he was to believe it was a coincidence that the medical marijuana was packed in perfectly weighted bags that could be sold.
The Crown is arguing that Neary be convicted of possession with the intent for trafficking over three kilograms, which is more than Neary has admitted to.
“If the amounts are three kilograms or less there is a possibility that the court could impose a conditional sentence, if its three kilograms or more, the court does not have that sentencing option,” said McBride, in an interview outside of court Friday.
Neary will be back in court Monday afternoon, when a judgement is expected to be made.
Comments