National News

Willie Nelson plea rejected in marijuana possession case

Posted: Jul 12, 2011 9:01 AM by CBS News/KTVQ
Updated: Jul 12, 2011 9:02 AM

EL PASO - A judge has rejected a plea deal that would have resolved Willie Nelson's marijuana possession case in West Texas with a fine, saying the country singer shouldn't get what she considers special treatment.

Nelson was arrested in November after a Border Patrol agent said 6 ounces of marijuana were found on Nelson's tour bus.

Judge Becky Dean-Walker told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she rejected prosecutor Kit Bramblett's suggestion that Nelson resolve the case by pleading guilty and paying a $500 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dean-Walker claims the prosecutor "doesn't do that for anybody else."

The judge says Nelson should be charged with the misdemeanor marijuana possession, which carries up to a year in jail.

Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett are booked for an Aug. 3 show at Amend Park in Billings. The show starts at 7 p.m. cost $49.50