He asked leading questions to try to evoke the response he wanted. Pedrosa changed his testimony when confronted with interview transcripts and his own handwritten notes. At the time of the incidents, both Herrick and Chavez had beards. Hoffer and Pollard both testified that the cannabis they were given was free. On some occasions they donated things such as office supplies and money to the co-op to help keep it running, but they also stated on some occasions they received cannabis without making any donation at all.
State law says that an exchange of goods, services, or money for cannabis is considered sales.
The defense was stifled when they weren't allowed to use a Proposition 215 or medical necessity defense. Evidence of medical use was heard throughout the trial in testimony that Hoffer and Pollard were obtaining it for medical use, and they were doing what they thought was legal under Proposition 215. Judge Froeberg denied her request. What the jury didn't know is that Petrosino already had the receipts, but wasn't allowed to submit them as evidence. Judge Froeberg did not allow any evidence to be seen by the jury that related to Proposition 215, virtually eliminating all evidence Petrosino had to submit.