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SCHENECTADY
Pot cases draw attention of MTV show
‘True Life’ in town to film sentencing for future episode
BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter

It’s not exactly “Real World Schenectady,” but an MTV series is filming in the city.
    Filmmakers with the MTV series “True Life” are in town following two defendants in marijuana cases as part of an upcoming episode focused on marijuana dependency, according to local people involved.
    A camera crew was at the Schenectady County Courthouse on Wednesday morning to film the sentencing of Devin Conway, who pleaded guilty earlier to second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a felony. Conway was sentenced to one year in jail as part of an earlier plea bargain.
    Prosecutor Katie McCutcheon said the deal had been agreed to before the television series became involved. She said Wednesday she was only made aware of the filming interest a week ago. McCutcheon identified the series as “True Life,” with the episode titled: “I’m addicted to marijuana.”
    The reality show follows young people facing a particular issue or problem. Recent episodes have followed young people with diabetes, those pursuing dreams in conflict with their parents and high school wrestlers, according to the MTV website. A spokesperson for the cable channel could not be reached Wednesday.
    The filmmakers have also been seen recently elsewhere in the city. Matt Baumgartner, founder of Bombers Burrito Bar, confi rmed filming at his Schenectady location this week. He said he agreed to allow the fi lming after producers signed agreements that nothing illegal would go on in the restaurant.
    Acting Schenectady County Court Judge Richard Giardino presided over Conway’s sentencing. Afterward, Giardino called the topic one that shows the ramifi cations of marijuana use.
    “It’s to show young people that there is a consequence to their actions,” Giardino said. “In that regard, I think it was pretty worthwhile.”
    Giardino couldn’t comment on the specifics of Conway’s case, but the judge said he had never received such a request to fi lm a case. Such requests usually come from local television stations in high-profi le cases.
    The filmmakers could be seen at the courthouse afterward, fi lming an interview with a man in a side room. One filmmaker ran the camera, while another held a boom microphone. Who they were interviewing wasn’t clear, but he was identifi ed as a friend of Conway. Shortly after, the filmmakers could be seen filming the man walking down the courthouse’s front steps.
    After Wednesday’s court appearance, Conway was led off to start his sentence. ................>>>>....................>>>>....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01101&AppName=1

Schenectady, the city that lights, hauls and smokes the world, dude.

MTV should have to pay a 'court tax' to be allowed to make $$ in NYS via a documentary......wouldn't that be so F'en progressive to the progressives.......yeah,,,,that's the ticket......