The Sentinel-Record   12-2-1976

THIS IS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE REGARDING THE JUDGE WHO RULED ALL OF THE TESTIMONY IN THE LINDA EDWARDS CASE AS “HEARSAY”.

Little Rock (AP) – U.S. Atty. W. H. “Sonny” Dillahunty said Wednesday “some lenient treatment” apparently was received from Circuit Court Judge Henry B. Means of Malvern by four drug case defendants.

Means imposed only fines on four defendants who pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. He dismissed the charge against a fifth man who pleaded innocent.

Police said the case involved 250 pounds of marijuana.

Dillahunty said he wouldn’t say Means was wrong in his handling of the case, “but I would say the individuals seemed to receive some lenient treatment.” He said he didn’t think the punishment was adequate.

He said he had asked the U.S. Justice Department for permission to file federal charges against the men, but Washington had not replied yet.

Citizens of Hot Spring, Grant and Saline counties have hired Little Rock attorney Cliff Jackson to help them find a way to remove Means from office.

A public hearing will be held Thursday night at the Malvern High School. Petitions calling for Means’ resignation are to be circulated at that meeting.

In addition, the committee that is working to remove Means has opened a bank account at Sheridan to finance its efforts. The group also has started a fund-raising drive.