A Spongebob-tinged weed trial in Bali
Australian teenager Lewis Alan Mason (C) covers his face as he’s escorted by guards on Bali island on November 1. 2011. Indonesian prosecutors said they will charge a 14-year-old Australian boy arrested on Bali island with drug offenses that carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison.
The trial of a 14-year-old Australian, allegedly caught with marijuana on Indonesia's touristed Bali island, is being held in a makeshift kiddie court.
According to the Jakarta Globe, Spongebob Squarepants curtains were hung around the courtroom and judges swapped their intimidating black robes for traditional batik shirts — all to demonstrate the justice system's concern for the teenager's "psychological condition."
The 14-year-old, named Lewis Mason, claims he bought 3.6 grams from a hungry dealer complaining he needed the sale to buy food.
The Australian public has rushed to Mason's defense. Many fear for Mason's fate under Indonesia's harsh drug laws.
The teenager faces six years in prison. With adults.
By Western standards, that's an absurdly harsh sentence for 3.6 grams of pot. A quarter ounce, about the smallest amount you'll find for sale in the states, is not even twice that: 7 grams.
Also, a wee bit of advice for Indonesian judges: if a kid is hanging out in Bali and smoking chronic, he's probably over his Spongebob phase.
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.