Phish leader pleads not guilty
Phish leader Trey Anastasio appeared in a New York courtroom on Wednesday (January 3rd) to plead not guilty to misdemeanor charges of drug possession and driving under the influence. But the local prosecutor has indicated the original counts might get bumped up to felonies. Anastasio was arrested at 3:30 a.m. on December 15th in Whitehall, New York, when he was determined to be under the influence of narcotics and failed a sobriety test. A search of his vehicle turned up some serious painkillers and an anti-anxiety drug, none of which were prescribed in his name, as well as a substance he told the officers was hashish. However, tests on the packet show it was actually heroin.
According to the Glens Falls, New York, Post Star, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Kortright wouldn't talk about the heroin, but he said the total amount of the prescription pills is enough to charge Anastasio with a felony, which could result in him being sentenced to prison for two-and-a-half years. But the D.A. also said he would talk to Anastasio's lawyer before pressing ahead with a grand jury, and that Anastasio could very well be ordered to attend a court-approved drug rehabilitation program in lieu of going to jail, adding, "We'll give him the same plea offer we'd give anyone in this situation."
Anastasio was originally supposed to have a hearing next Wednesday (January 10th), and his appearance at the court seemed to take most people by surprise. The not-guilty plea to the original charges -- DWI-Drugs, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance -- was entered by Anastasio's lawyer, and the guitarist was released on his own recognizance, with his next appearance set for February 14th. Anastasio quickly left the courthouse with his family without making any public comment.
Anastasio released a solo album last year titled Bar 17. He played a few shows on the East Coast in late December, and his next date is at the Langerado Music Festival in Sunrise, Florida, in March.
Submit the above story to:
Del.icio.us
Digg
reddit
StumbleUpon
Facebook
According to the Glens Falls, New York, Post Star, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Kortright wouldn't talk about the heroin, but he said the total amount of the prescription pills is enough to charge Anastasio with a felony, which could result in him being sentenced to prison for two-and-a-half years. But the D.A. also said he would talk to Anastasio's lawyer before pressing ahead with a grand jury, and that Anastasio could very well be ordered to attend a court-approved drug rehabilitation program in lieu of going to jail, adding, "We'll give him the same plea offer we'd give anyone in this situation."
Anastasio was originally supposed to have a hearing next Wednesday (January 10th), and his appearance at the court seemed to take most people by surprise. The not-guilty plea to the original charges -- DWI-Drugs, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance -- was entered by Anastasio's lawyer, and the guitarist was released on his own recognizance, with his next appearance set for February 14th. Anastasio quickly left the courthouse with his family without making any public comment.
Anastasio released a solo album last year titled Bar 17. He played a few shows on the East Coast in late December, and his next date is at the Langerado Music Festival in Sunrise, Florida, in March.
Submit the above story to:
Del.icio.us
Digg
reddit
StumbleUpon
Facebook
The Rock Radio online