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Willie Nelson to sing for his freedom

God love Willie Nelson.

On his way back into the United States from Mexico last November, the 77-year-old country crooner was arrested for possessing six ounces of marijuana. Border patrol agents in Sierra Blanca, Texas searched Nelson’s tour bus after smelling weed wafting out of it, they say, which isn’t hard to believe — Nelson is a prodigious pot smoker and has been for longer than most of us have been alive.

Even so, this could have been bad news for the Red-Headed Stranger: while amounts under three ounces are considered misdemeanors, six ounces is serious business.

But wait! After some “packaging was removed” — huh? — the six ounces magically turned into less than three. Even so, Nelson, who has been out on bond s ince November, still faced up to six months in prison. This week, however, he was offered a plea bargain: pay $100 and sing a song. Judge Becky Walker demanded that the next time he’s in Hudspeth County on tour, he has to make a stop at the courthouse to serenade Walker with her favorite tune, “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain.” The performance, she said, would count as community service.

Now if that doesn ‘t prove the power of song, I don’ t know wha t does.

 

 

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Rebecca Lehmann March 29, 2011, 6:27 am

    David, this made me smile.

    • David Alm March 29, 2011, 7:00 am

      You and me both! And a beautiful song it is, too. One of my favorites.

  • Michael Washburn March 29, 2011, 7:17 am

    ahh, such a hero. and i’m sure he’d give a commencement address without charging anyone anything other than a joint.

  • chris March 29, 2011, 8:49 am

    Meanwhile, a minority teen languishes in jail.

    The stars: they’re just like us!

  • Jeff McMahon March 29, 2011, 8:51 am

    After some “packaging was removed” — huh? — the six ounces magically turned into less than three.

    Seeds and stems, likely. The judge knows her weed.

  • David Alm March 29, 2011, 1:31 pm

    Oh come now, Jeff. Do you really think Willie Nelson gets weed with seeds and stems?

  • Jeff McMahon March 29, 2011, 4:18 pm

    Well either that or the fuzz weighed his Tupperware.