Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 December 2007 — Page 4

Page 4 • The Muncie Times • December 6, 2007

Mock trial gives “Count Tobaccula” life term

Count Tobaccula AKA Derran Isom urges all “Don’t Smoke” as he stands with adult ally Dorothy Harris and several VOICE Youth

By Staff Writer The case was clear. Tobacco use kills and the jury of twelve very irate citizens were out for blood (so to speak). Someone was going down for the death of thousands of tobacco users and that someone was none other than .. .Count Tobaccula! Brought into court with his head hung down, the accused was faced with chants of ‘you’re going down’. This was a strong indication that the accused had little chance of being found innocent of the charge of voluntary manslaughter. The air in the Muncie Boys and Girls Club was highly charged with anticipation of the day’s event. It was the trial of the Century. Held on the day of the Great American Smokeout, Count Tobaccula was being brought to trial for the heinous crimes committed against countless tobacco use victims. The Honorable Judge Jajuan Phillips presided with the assistance of the very capable Judge Right On (Veeda Hampton). Members of the jury were sworn in by court appointed Bailiff Jarrell Phillips. The jury pool consisted of the following members: Toni Gore, Sparkle Evans, Angel Keiths, JaKayla Book, Kalyse Jones, Katana Lipscomb, Bilasia Lipscomb, Michael Stringer, Vashaun Harnett, Stashia Brannon, Lukus Brannon and KeSean

Bynum. Prosecutor KaChae Newton was relentless as she brought forth key witnesses to identify the crimes perpetrated by Count Tobaccula. Selaya Metoyer gave a heart wrenching testimony about the death of her Uncle Ray Ray. There was not a dry eye in the court as she wept over the loss of her guardian. Dr. Mullencamp (Angela Muellenberg IBC student) gave a very compelling testimony of health factors involved in smoking cigarettes. She testified that tobacco use has contributed to about 20 per cent of all deaths in the U.S. During the testimony picketers barged into the courtroom handing out brochures and chanting that Count Tobaccula needed to go down for his crime. Concluding her testimony, Dr. Mullencamp had several of her assistants unveil shocking exhibits which covered

portions of two walls in the courtroom. The exhibits were tombstones, each representing 30,000 deaths. As the prosecutor built her case, she submitted that it could be proven the addictive substance nicotine, was added to cigarettes causing difficulty for consumers to kick the habit. It was also cited that thousands of chemicals as well as toxins such as found in paint, pesticides, rat poison and other substances are in tobacco products. A surprise witness, Cheryl Matthews of Cancer Services of Delaware county/Little Red Door confirmed these reports to be true. Mrs. Matthews was sworn in and testified that she is a knowledgeable witness in these matters and as proof brought in exhibits B and C, a healthy lung and a blackened, diseased lung of a former tobacco user. Mrs. Matthews is also

chairperson of the Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County. In the end the jury found Count Tobaccula guilty as charged. At sentencing, Count Tobaccula fell on the mercy of the court. He was given a life sentence... of going around the world encouraging people to not smoke or use tobacco. He readily agreed as he travels around the world today, you may just see him in your neighborhood. In an exclusive interview, however, Count Tobaccula had this to say: “I was not adequately represented. You see, all of the facts about the harmful effects of tobacco use are true. It is the leading most preventable cause of disease and death. But, I also was a victim. You can’t even imagine what it was like for me to try to suck the blood or even get close to a smoker. I’d cough and hack and could barely breathe. I would have died

too, if that were possible. So you see, before these charges were brought against me, I was already reformed - actually transformed. My official status is mascot for the Minority Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County and the local VOICE youth movement. Believe me - the only thing that I want to suck in is clean air and the only thing that makes me want to suck blood is the tobacco industry! Judy Mays, program coordinator for the Minority Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County was also on hand. Before the trial, Ms. Mays gave a presentation to youth on how they are targeted by the tobacco industry through advertising campaigns which present tobacco use as alluring and popular such as the current Camel #9 campaign. The Great American Smokeout, held annually on the third Thursday in November, gives millions of people the incentive to be smoke free for one day. It encourages that the decision made on that day become one that will lead to a smoke and tobacco free life. For information on free cessation classes, the coalition(s), or to schedule a presentation, call Judy Mays at 765. 76477814(Monday), 765.7418332 (Tuesday-Friday) ; e-mail [email protected] or call the Indiana Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW