Drug exhibit tampered with? Leiva Brothers acquitted of charges

Williams Leiva

Two brothers, who have had a charge of drug trafficking hanging over their heads for more than two years, walked free today. Stephen and William Leiva were charged in February, 2009 with drug trafficking for over sixteen pounds of marijuana that was found at their business, Amelia’s DVDs, which was located on the Northern Highway. They were also charged for possession of a controlled drug for a separate one point seven ounces of weed that was discovered inside Stephen’s vehicle. But this morning, Magistrate Roberto Ordonez, noted that the case took too long to go to trial, saying that justice delayed is justice denied.

Stephen Leiva

He also questioned the integrity of the drugs that were presented to the court because the package was sealed with duct tape instead of the police forensic seal, which is the norm. One of the exhibit labels were damaged and the amount of marijuana that was taken before the court did not match the amount that the police witnesses testified to finding. Due to those discrepancies, Magistrate Ordonez upheld a no case submission that was made by Attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley, who represented the Leiva brothers. Bradley also argued that the suitcase containing the drugs had a female name labeled on it, but that person was never charged.