A motion filed by the lawyer of convicted drug dealer Taji Lee challenges several aspects of his sentence and conviction, calling his 30- to 60-year sentence "excessive" and "too severe a punishment."
According to the motion, Lee is asking for a new trial because, among other things, the court did not impose a sentence on Lee as an individual, but instead imposed a sentence that would send a message to the community.
Lee, who ran what officials called the largest cocaine and heroin ring in Centre County's history, was convicted of drug-related charges on May 26 and sentenced July 18. The motion for a new trial was filed July 27.
The motion states that the court referenced deaths that were a result of Lee, although there was no proof that Lee was directly connected.
The motion also states that there was no consideration of Lee's rehabilitative needs.
Ron McGlaughlin, Lee's attorney, said in the motion that the court "relied upon enhancement provision," which allowed the judge to sentence Lee as if he had prior convictions once he is sentenced to one count.
McGlaughlin challenged the legality of using en-hancements when sentencing Lee.
He also said he contested the prosecution's use of a confidential informant when convicting Lee.
McGlaughlin said Friday the motion was a summary of issues that the defense brought up during the trial.
Centre County Judge Bradley Lunsford has not scheduled a hearing yet, McGlaughlin added.
Lunsford has 120 days from July 27 to schedule the hearing and rule on the motion. McGlaughlin said he expects Lunsford will rule against the motion, at which point, McGlaughlin would file an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Lee was arrested Jan. 11, 2005 after he arranged a sale of 348 bags of heroin valued at $7,500 to an undercover police officer, according to court documents. When Lee approached the officer for the money, he was arrested outside a Laundromat on 141 N. Barnard St.
He was originally accused of selling about $1.5 million worth of heroin and cocaine from late 2002 through late 2004.
