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Alleged pot grower misses court date while looking for attorney

William Ferchland

Levi Neill appeared in court without his brother or an attorney on Thursday, a week before a scheduled preliminary hearing for the brothers on charges they grew 88 marijuana plants in a South Upper Truckee Road home.

Neill was left to explain to El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Jerald Lasarow that his 25-year-old brother, Alex, was in Sacramento searching for an attorney to represent their case.

“We’re still looking,” said Levi Neill, 19. “We didn’t want to rush into it.”



The two brothers were arrested April 12 when an El Dorado County sheriff’s deputy sniffed marijuana odors emitting from house.

Further investigation via a search warrant led to the discovery of 88 plants, grow equipment and related items.



Lasarow said the brothers have a right to find an attorney but issued and held a $25,000 warrant for Alex to make sure he appeared in court next week.

“Be back on the 28th, get a hold of your brother and find out about that attorney,” Lasarow said.

In another related case, Jesse Brown and Justin Oswald are scheduled to appear in court May 13 for a pre-preliminary hearing.

The two were roommates in a home along Nadowa Street when an El Dorado County sheriff’s deputy reportedly spotted a marijuana plant being harvested last month.

A search warrant was served and 15 pounds of processed marijuana, indoor grow equipment and cash were discovered.

– E-mail William Ferchland at wferchland@tahoedailytribune.com


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