TRIAL SET FOR MAN FACING POT CHARGES

STOCKTON -- San Joaquin County quadriplegic Aaron Paradiso will face
trial next month on charges he possessed marijuana with the intention
to sell it, despite an effort Monday to get the case dismissed.

Superior Court Judge Bernard Garber denied a motion that would dismiss
the case against Paradiso; his mother, Debra Paradiso; and friend
Robert Turano. Prosecutors accuse the trio of growing several pot
plants to sell later.

Aaron Paradiso's attorney M. Gerald Schwartzbach argued for dismissal,
alleging that Superior Court Judge Terrence Van Oss, who presided over
the preliminary hearing, holds a bias against a state law allowing
Californians to cultivate a limited number of pot plants for medical
use. The trial is expected to begin Jan. 9.