Henry Latham
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Henry Latham is a judge of the Seventh District of Iowa. He was appointed to this position in March 2013 by Governor Terry Branstad.[1] He was retained in 2014 to a term that expires in 2020.[2]
Education
Latham graduated from St. Ambrose College in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in accounting, going on to receive a J.D. from the University of Iowa in 1989.[3]
Career
Prior to joining the court, Latham worked as an attorney with Brooks and Trinrud, P.C., specializing in family law, real estate, personal injury and corporations.[3]
Elections
2014
Latham was retained to the 7th District with 70.2 percent of the vote on November 4, 2014. [2]
Noteworthy cases
Cancer patient convicted on marijuana charge
A man suffering from cancer who grew marijuana to treat a tumor was convicted of felony drug charges after Judge Latham barred defense attorneys from telling jurors the plants were for medical purposes.
Benton Mackenzie, 48, was convicted guilty of four felony drug charges on July 9, 2014. He had been treating his cancer with cannabis oil rather than chemotherapy, and, if sent to prison without access to the illegal substance, he fears that he will die. "Being held down to die like this, that's infuriating to me in a country where I supposedly have a right to my life," he said.[4]
Mackenzie's attorneys were stymied due to Iowa's laws that does not allow for the medical use of marijuana (except, as of 2014, for epileptic children). Because of this, Judge Latham did not allow the argument that the drugs were a medical necessity. He explained to the attorneys:
| “ | [Mackenzie] may testify to anything he desires to, but he may not comment on his condition. It is not relevant to the facts of this case, and he may not testify as to the medical use of marijuana.[5][6] | ” |
The rest of Mackenzie's family--his wife and son--were also convicted. They live with Mackenzie's parents, who were also charged with felonies for letting marijuana grow on their property. Law enforcement found 71 such plants on the property.[4]
On September 9, Judge Latham gave Mackenzie a sentence of 3-years probation instead of jail time. His wife and son were also sentenced to probation. Latham warned Mackenzie that he would need to be drug-free during probation, or he could get sent to prison. Mackenzie has traveled to Oregon several times as a medical marijuana patient to receive treatment.[7]
See also
- Iowa District Seven
- Iowa District Courts
- Judges appointed by Terry Branstad
- Judicial selection in Iowa
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Republic, "Eldridge attorney appointed by governor to judge in Eastern Iowa's 7th Judicial District," March 27, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Iowa Secretary of State, "Judges Standing for Retention November 4, 2014 General Election," accessed September 4, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brooks & Trinrud, P.C., "Henry Latham biography"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Des Moines Register, "Cancer patient says pot conviction a 'death sentence'," July 10, 2014
- ↑ The Raw Story, "Dying Iowa man found guilty of growing pot after judge bars testimony about his terminal cancer," July 10, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Oregon Live, "Medical marijuana in Oregon: Benton Mackenzie, dying Iowa man convicted of marijuana crimes, gets probation," September 9, 2014
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa
State courts:
Iowa Supreme Court • Iowa Court of Appeals • Iowa district courts
State resources:
Courts in Iowa • Iowa judicial elections • Judicial selection in Iowa
