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A2 — Sun Journal. New Bern. N.C. - Friday. October 2. 1998CONTINUED FROM A1Trialdrawer and forcing her into a closet, wliere she said fie raped her twice I .iik aster admits the robbery. hut denies raping tfK* hotel night clerk I he defense contends Lancaster isn't guilty because of his crack impairment at the time of the incident presented him from forming i riminal intent.Lancaster testified Wednesday that he had been drinking beer and inoking crack for several hours up until about two hours before the alleged incident.I ancaster has enrolled in programs at seven facilities that treat people with substance abuse problems. but has relapsed each lime. I .uk aster testified '’You cannot do this by yourself.'* he said I've tried over and over igain to do this by myselfI he longest program Lancaster said he has been through lasted 25 days I hat isn’t long enough, he says.II you've got a crack cocaine problem, a six month stay is not long enough. Lancaster saidIhe defendant dodged questions hied bv Assistant District Attorney IK»ii Micks about his pattern ol lying to lainily and friends regarding his drug problemIt's not something you’re proud of. I ancaster said. “It's not something you go around bragging about. Ilev. I've got a drug problem ..I was very ashamed ol my problem II you want to s.is technically, yes. I did lie about my drug problem And you made a conscious choice to qmt therapy and do crack cocaine ’ Hicks askedIt s not a conscious choice. I-ancaster repliedRon Bancroft. I ancaster s sub stance abuse counselor at Neusc Mental Health Center, said he diag* nosed l.ancaster as suffering from cocaine dependence and cocaine induced mlt;*od disorderThe mood disorder is one common among addicts. Bancroft said As users are coming off of their high, they may experience depres sion and anxiety These can lead to paranoia, a feeling that someone is out to get them. Ik* said.Defense attorney Josh W illey asked Bancroft it he believed Lancaster may have been impaired al the time of the alleged r.i|X* to tin* point where he could not make gooil judgmentsHe wouldn’t have really been able to think through the consequences ol what he was doing.Bancroft saidI ancastcf appeared unhappy alter Bancroft’s testimony and declared that he wanted to have Willey removed from his case Lancaster a^ked tin- judge il he could question Baikiott with Willey’s assistanceBasically. I’m scared to death, l aiK.istei said I want a lair trial Henry said he would allow Lam aster to represent himself, hut would not allow Willey to act as a co counsel That prompted Lancaster to change his mindII Ik- cannot give me assistance. I’m afraid I may more harm than good. I .ancaster said
Newspaper Details
New Bern Sun Journal
New Bern, North Carolina, US
Fri, Oct 02, 1998
Page 2
Full Page
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