1/3: Steven Kubby's Preliminary Hearing and Interfaith Prayer/Meditation

For Immediate Release:
Steve Kubby is Dying in Placer County Jail

Contact: Clark Sullivan 415 424 0125 freemansullivan [at] yahoo.com

Who: Axis of Love San Francisco, HempEvolution.org, California Marijuana Party, Libertarian Party, California NORML

What: Steven Wynn Kubby's Preliminary Hearing and Interfaith Prayer/Meditation Circle of Healing

When: Friday, February 3, 2006 8 AM [Interfaith Prayer/Meditation Circle of Healing 7:30 AM]

Where: Placer County Jail; 2775 Richardson Dr.; Auburn CA 95603

Why: In custody for 8 days, Steve Kubby, Prop 215 co-author and 1998 Libertarian CA gubernatorial candidate suffers from adrenal cancer. He is facing 120 days in jail, revocation of probation and additional felony charges. Placer County Jail does not have the medical facilities or adequate resources to care for terminally ill cancer patients. For the Placer County authorities to blithely state that Steve is in good health or have no knowledge of Steve's terminal condition is a blatant lie.

Mr. Kubby has reported that he was coerced to sign a waiver absolving Placer County Sheriff's of any medical responsibility, due to his refusal to take blood pressure medication, despite the fact that Steve had never been prescribed blood pressure medication before
His attorney, Bill McPike has stated Mr. Kubby has lost 15-20 lbs while in custody. Steve requires a special vegan diet to retain body and his physical condition is rapidly deteriorating.
Placer County Undersheriff Steve D'Arcy said his department's policy is that marijuana will not be furnished to inmates, even in edible form, despite that it does not violate jail policy regarding smoking.

We believe Placer County officials are deliberately misleading the public about Mr. Kubby' fragile physical condition in an effort to belie the seriousness of the situation. We demand Placer County:

1. Provide a physician [preferably an oncologist], independent of the Placer County Jail, be made available to regularly examine and monitor Steve's health while in custody. Dr. Joseph Connors, a medical oncologist for British Columbia Cancer Agency, and [Steve's physician] should be consulted before any decisions are made regarding Steve's health.
2. Allow Mr. Kubby to medicate with medical cannabis while in custody, and
3. Provide Steve with an organic vegan diet that fulfills his dietary needs, and
4. Transfer Steve from solitary confinement to the infirmary where a registered nurse [R. N.] can monitor his vital signs on a regular basis, or
5. Release Steve to house arrest where his physical needs can properly be attended to, or
6. If Mr. Kubby should die in custody, we demand that Placer County officials be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, as well as face significant criminal and civil legal penalties.

Bill McPike, Steve's attorney, has reported that calls are having an effect. Please contact the following numbers to express your concern:

* Placer County Jail Medical Center (530) 745-8660
* Bradford R. Fenocchio; Placer County District Attorney; (530) 889-7000; (530) 889-7129 fax; bfenocch [at] placer.ca.gov [Deputy DA Chris Cattran can also be reached at this number.]
* Sheriff Edward N. Bonner (530) 889-7800; Fax: (530) 889-6883; pcsoweb [at] placer.ca.gov

Steve Kubby needs your positive thoughts and prayers. Join us for an Interfaith Prayer/Meditation Circle of Healing in front of the jail at sunrise.