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Letter to the editor

When it was time to face up, he was gone

A reluctant defendant bolts from a second court date on a marijuana charge. Now he faces more charges.

By EILEEN SCHULTE, Times Staff Writer
Published November 16, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Joshua Maxson, 18, first went to the wrong courtroom, then took off and hid in a wooded area.

Some people may wonder just what - if anything - Joshua Maxson has been smoking lately.

The 18-year-old arrived at the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Complex on Thursday morning after missing a hearing Wednesday when he was scheduled to answer to a judge about failing to appear on a marijuana possession charge.

But after wandering the halls, he ended up at the wrong courtroom. Bailiffs escorted him to the correct chambers, but Maxson apparently got cold feet, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

He changed his mind about the whole affair and bolted from the courthouse. Deputies gave chase and found him hiding in the bushes in a wooded area. Authorities said he put up a struggle, so they Tasered him and took him into custody.

Maxson, of 1000 10th St. SW, Largo, was being held in lieu of $463 bail.

Now his list of charges has grown to obstruction and resisting arrest without violence.

And, of course, he still has to face the original charge of failure to appear on marijuana possession.

Eileen Schulte can be reached at schulte@sptimes.com or 727 445-4153.

[Last modified November 15, 2007, 23:34:05]