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63 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 12, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 10, 2004 Kari Rein requests a pardon Facing deportation, the Williams woman hopes action by Gov. Ted Kulongoski will help her federal case By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune WILLIAMS — A local woman facing deportation to her native Norway because of a 1993 marijuana conviction in Oregon has applied for a pardon from Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Kari Rein, 42, wants the governor to pardon her on the drug possession conviction involving six marijuana plants in hopes it will strengthen her case at the federal level. She faces a May 27 court date before a U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement judge in Portland to make her case that the 1993 conviction does not merit losing her right to live in the United States. She is also expected to seek a permanent pardon from the immigration judge. The governor’s office received the pardon application on Tuesday, according to Mary Ellen Glynn, spokeswoman for the governor. "By statute the governor cannot act on it until 30 days after receipt," Glynn explained. "During that time, he will go through the normal process of talking to different agencies and various people involved in the case." Advertisement That would include the Department of Corrections, Parole Board and the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office. Both Rein and her husband, James Jungwirth, an American citizen, were convicted in the 1993 case in Josephine County. The couple, who say growing the illegal drug was a mistake they both regret, had thought the arrest was history. But Rein was arrested by customs officials at Sea-Tac airport near Seattle after a computer check flagged her green card when the family was returning from a Christmas vacation in Norway on Dec. 30, 2003. She was incarcerated for three weeks before her husband was able to raise the $15,000 bail. Portland attorney David Shomloo, who represents Rein, believes that growing six plants for personal use is too minor of an infraction to warrant deportation. But Margaret Rosenat, a U.S. prosecuting attorney, described it as a trafficking offense in a immigration court hearing earlier this year. Rein and Jungwirth hope to receive a response from the governor before May 27, Jungwirth said. "We know a pardon is an exceptional act to be used on in extreme circumstances," he said. "We hope the governor will consider our situation an extreme circumstance." If Rein is deported, her husband and two children, both born in Josephine County, would go with her, he said. "We hope a pardon from the governor would cause (the federal government) to drop its case," he said. "That’s what we’re hoping and praying for." His wife agreed. "By nature, I’m always optimistic," Rein said. "But I’m also a little scared." The case has generated news coverage throughout the United States and Norway. Jungwirth and Rein are scheduled to appear on CNN’s Paula Zahn show at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Because of the publicity, the couple has established a Web site at karirein.net to tell their story. They own and operate Naturespirit Herbs, a mail-order business harvesting native herbs as well edible and medicinal seaweeds. They have lived in Williams for 16 years. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities