San Diego’s Crime and Cannabis: Dispensary robbery suspects finally face arraignment

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men accused of taking part in a robbery and deadly shootout at a North Park
medical cannabis dispensary (who left their alleged accomplice dead and another
man wounded) were ordered on January 29 to stand trial on felony charges.

Kurese
Bell, 18, is charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery and street gang
allegations in connection with the April 25 incident at the dispensary as well
as a robbery at a smoke shop on El Cajon Boulevard, just four days earlier. In
that incident, Bell, and his now deceased accomplice, Marlon Thomas, held up an
employee of the shop at gunpoint. The attempted robbery was thwarted when a
second employee yelled out, unaware of the dire circumstances, causing the Bell
and Thomas to flee the scene, but not before Bell pointed a gun at one of the witnesses
and fired, this according to prosecutors. Thankfully, the shot(s) missed their
intended target. Not satisfied with this failed attempt, the duo went on to
plan another, ultimately deadly armed robbery.

Bell
was only 17 at the time of his May arrest in Los Angeles, but he has been
charged as an adult in San Diego Superior Court. Now 18, he faces life in
prison, if convicted.

Atiim
Kalomo Smith, 22, is believed to have been the getaway driver, according to
testimony at a two-day preliminary hearing. He faces attempted murder and
robbery charges. Jail records show he was booked into custody in July.

San
Diego Superior Court Judge Jay Bloom determined at the end of the hearing that
the prosecution presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. According
to police and prosecutors, two gunmen held up the dispensary on Ray Street near
North Park Way. Disturbing video surveillance footage was played in court that
showed the confrontation between the two robbers and a security guard.

The
prosecutor stated that Bell threatened to kill the security guard Henry Smith and
the store owner, saying “We’re going to f*cking kill you guys.” According to
testimony by Detective Sylvia Vella, Smith was “scared and shaking,” because he
thought that was going to die after being fired on by the alleged thieves. In
self-defense, the already wounded guard fired back, his bullet striking Marlon
Thomas, who was fatally wounded. Proving once again that there is no honor
among thieves, Kurese Bell fled the scene as his partner in crime lay dying on
the floor.

The
security guard suffered a gunshot wound to his pelvis, but survived the
harrowing ordeal.

A
third defendant, 21-year-old Jonathan Collins, was arrested in Texas in
connection with the incident. He pled guilty to a robbery charge and a gang
allegation, and agreed to a 12-year prison term. His sentencing hearing is
scheduled for April 2, 2015.

This
chain of events is tragic, no doubt. It left a young man dead, another
seriously wounded, families torn apart, and many innocent people scarred for
life. We refuse to diminish the loss and pain that all involved have
experienced by reducing this event to a cut and dry case of “Reefer Madness,” as
many anti-cannabis crusaders have. What we really need, as a community, to
rally against, is the false narrative that blames cannabis consumers,
providers, and even the plant itself for crimes such as these. Citizens who
provide and consume cannabis are not criminals. However, the people who steal
from and commit violence against patients and providers, very much are. Let us
place our anger where it belongs.