Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991 TAG: 9103070367
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"The whole country was fighting drug abuse, and here they were showing how to make them on television. I couldn't believe it," James A. Campbell, 46, testified in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith took issue with Campbell's TV story.
"Remember Flip Wilson?," he asked. "The devil made me do it? This sounds like `Dan Rather made me do it.' "
Circuit Judge Kenneth Devore called the case one of the most unusual he had heard in 14 years on the bench. He said he was impressed with Campbell's story, his education and his previous clean record.
The judge then sentenced Campbell, who pleaded guilty last November to manufacturing illegal drugs, to 12 years in prison on each of four charges and fined him $400. But he suspended the sentences and fine, and placed Campbell on probation for 10 years.
Campbell, a research associate at Tech, was arrested last May while manufacturing a batch of methamphetamine, also known as speed, at a chemistry lab in Davidson Hall.
He testified that he became curious about making the drug after watching Rather, the CBS news anchor, describe how to make it.
Campbell told Judge Devore he wrote anonymous protest letters to Rather and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
"I decided, heck, I'm going into the lab and see if it works," he testified. So over two to four months, Campbell mixed four or five batches of methamphetamine totaling nearly 200 grams. He hid it in a trunk in the bedroom closet of his Blacksburg apartment.
Police also found more than 40 grams of methaqualone, sold under the brand name Quaalude.
Investigators began watching Campbell after they learned he had tried to order phenyl acetic acid through the university without authorization. It also was discovered that some phenyl acetic acid - one of the five chemicals used in making speed - was missing from Tech's supply shelves.
Police said Campbell also stole $210.35 worth of phenyl acetic acid and methaqualone and used $2,000 from various state and federal research grants to buy other chemicals.
Campbell, who has a doctorate in chemistry, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of both methamphetamine and methaqualone with intent to distribute both. In pleading guilty to all the charges, he faced a maximum of 16 years in prison.
After his arrest, Campbell told authorities he had planned to sell the drugs to pay bills and a $30,000 debt to a former wife. But he testified Wednesday he had no intention of selling the drugs.
A recovering alcoholic for eight years, Campbell said he was feeling sorry for himself when he made the drugs. He said he thought he should be in a higher-paying job so he could better support his wife and two children and pay his debts. He was making $23,000 per year at Tech, where he had worked since 1987.
He said he did not intend to use or sell the drugs, but he admitted he was tempted because of his financial worries.
"You would know that I'd be lying if I told you the thought didn't cross my mind," he said. But he said using or dealing drugs goes against all the principles he learned in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Campbell also said his 20-year-old son from a previous marriage has a drug problem, so the thought of dealing drugs makes him uncomfortable.
Why then didn't he stop with just one batch? asked his attorney, Dutton Ollinger. "I was trying to optimize the yield," Campbell said. And he was just curious.
Campbell, a former high school teacher and major in the Marines, paused often to regain his composure on the witness stand. He broke down in tears several times. He said he had learned his lesson.
"Whatever Dan Rather wants to do is Dan Rather's business from here on out," he said.
by CNB