EL PASO (AP) – A West Texas judge has rejected country singer Willie Nelson’s plea bargain that would have resolved his marijuana possession case with a fine.
Hudspeth County Judge Becky Dean-Walker told The Associated Press Wednesday that she rejected prosecutor Kit Bramblett’s suggestion that Nelson plead guilty and pay a $500 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor not punishable with jail time.
Dean-Walker says, “It’s not right simply because he doesn’t do that for anybody else.”
She wants Nelson charged with the misdemeanor of possession of marijuana, which could mean up to one year in jail.
Bramblett did not return a call. Nelson’s publicist declined comment.
Nelson was arrested in November at a Border Patrol checkpoint when an agent searched his tour bus. He was later released on bail.
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