Charge dropped

[PonyTales]

Since I started something of a firestorm with my other post, I thought it was only fair to post this as well. According to the Austin American-Statesman, the possession of marijuana charge against UT running back Cedric Benson has been dropped.

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Marijuana charge against Benson dropped

UT running back still faces two misdemeanor charges

By Suzanne Halliburton
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, May 7, 2002

The most serious of three criminal charges against University of Texas running back Cedric Benson was dropped Tuesday by the Midland County District Attorney's Office.

The dismissal of the marijuana possession charge — the only charge that could have led to jail time — leaves Benson facing possible fines for two other misdemeanor charges.

"We just could not show that the defendant was aware of the evidence," said Bob Stevens, the assistant district attorney in charge of the Benson case.

Stevens said he interviewed a number of people during the past week, including the arresting officer and Benson's attorneys. Stevens said members of his office also visited the Midland apartment where Benson, 19, was arrested with 20-year-old Melanie Robinson on April 27.

Benson and Robinson were each charged with three misdemeanor drug and alcohol charges. Stevens said he did not know the status of the charges against Robinson.

Stevens said the other two charges against Benson — minor in possession of alcohol and possession of drug paraphernalia — have been forwarded to municipal court. Both are Class C misdemeanors punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Benson's attorneys have said that police found marijuana in a purse inside the apartment. They said the purse didn't belong to Benson or Robinson, who leases the apartment.

[DreadHead]

As well it should. Not only did the police botch the arrest, but Ced was INNOCENT!

[ClassOf81]

Whether he is innocent or not likely will never be known. What is known is that he was not convicted. What this shows is the fairness of the judicial system. If proper channels are not followed, he can not be convicted. If nothing else, he's guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but thankfully for all of us, that is not a jailable offense.
And before his name is cleared fully, he must escape the other two charges that remain pending.