Never let it be said that Texans lack compassion, common sense or good taste in music, and here’s why: elderly country monolith Willie Nelson will escape a jail term for marijuana possession if he performs a song for the court in which he is being tried.
In a not entirely unsurprising turn of events, Nelson’s stash was nabbed on his tour bus last November, as Spinner explains. The prosecutor in the case, one Kit Bramblett,was apparently willing to accept as punishment the 77-year-old former Highwayman performing a tune in the court room in Hudspeth County, Texas. The song in question is Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.
This irregular ‘punishment’ could only take place with the say-so of the judge, who was more than happy to be serenaded by Willie. A nominal fine of $100 (AUD98) still stands, along with court costs.
Nelson could have faced 180 days in jail had Bramblett pushed for the full extent of the law, but Bramblett is quoted as saying, “You bet your ass I ain’t going to be mean to Willie Nelson.”
Bramblett seems an interesting cove, and one most rock stars would enjoy contesting their drugs case. The Guardian quotes him jokingly referring to the small amount of marijuana in question, “Between me and the sheriff, we threw out enough of [the marijuana] or smoked enough so that there’s only three ounces.”
He added, “Willie Nelson is 77 years old and I’m 78. He’s been my favorite artist all my life. We all know he smokes a little pot.”
