For a song; Willie Nelson must sing a song in court for possesion of Pot.

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For a song, Willie’s pot case will be resolved

March 23rd, 2011 under Home Story Highlight » Top Stories

By STERRY BUTCHER

SIERRA BLANCAhttp://HTTP://www.bigbendnow.com/2011/03/for-a-song-willie’s-pot-case-will-be-resolved/ –

The Hudspeth County Attorney is ready to make a plea deal with the Red Headed Stranger.

“I’m gonna let him plead, pay a small fine and he’s gotta sing “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” with his guitar right there in the courtroom,” County Attorney Kit Bramblett said this week. “You bet your ass I ain’t gonna be mean to Willie Nelson.”

Nelson was arrested November 26 after a Border Patrol agent smelled pot wafting from Nelson’s tour bus at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint. A little more than six ounces was found on the bus. Shotgun Willie was arraigned and on the road again after paying a $2,500 bond.

Thousands of vehicles roll through two Border Patrol checkpoints in Hudspeth County every day and finding pot here and there is pretty common. Bramblett handles 10 or 12 personal use cases every month. The 6.24 ounces that was found when Willie was arrested is above the amount Bramblett can handle in his jurisdiction. Well, no problem.

“Between me and the sheriff, we threw out enough of it or smoked enough so that there’s only three ounces, which is within my jurisdiction,” Bramblett said.


Willie Nelson playing at the Gallego Center for the grand opening of the Marfa Public Radio station. (file photo by ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN)

Actually, he explained, once you take the dope out of its packaging, the weight drops and that’s how Willie landed in the county attorney’s case load. Usually, those small personal use cases come from people traveling across the country on the interstate – they’re on their way someplace. If it’s a misdemeanor amount, like Nelson’s, Bramblett commonly allows them to plead and pay a fine and court costs through the mail. When the singer rolled through, County Judge Becky Dean Walker issued a mandate to Bramblett: “She told me you don’t dare let Willie Nelson plead through the mail,” the attorney recounted.

The fine will be $100 and court costs amount to $278. Bramblett said he’s in contact with Nelson’s lawyer. Next time the singer’s tour schedule brings the Honeysuckle Rose close to Sierra Blanca, Bramblett’s office will be notified and Willie will make a scheduled stop at the Hudspeth County courthouse.

“Willie Nelson is 77 years old and I’m 78,” Bramblett said. “He’s been my favorite artist all my life. We all know he smokes a little pot.”


Tags: Border Patrol, crime



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37 Responses to “For a song, Willie’s pot case will be resolved”





Willie Nelson Escapes Jail for Texas Pot Bust-- For a Song | Moral Low Ground says:

March 25, 2011 at 5:47 pm

[...] Willie’s getting off for a song– literally. It turns out that Hudspeth County Attorney Kit Bramblett is ready and willing to [...]

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Joe S says:

March 25, 2011 at 2:51 pm

Justice requires an injured party. When you have laws punishing people for personal, consentual choices that impact no one but themselves you get outcomes like this. If you’ve got money or are popular you’re an upstanding citizen who doesn’t need to be punished. Rush Limbaugh, one of the biggest advocates of the War on Drugs, was never punished for his violation of the very laws he supports. But sometimes you need to be made into an example and then the punishment is excessively harsh. But with the War on Drugs, mostly it’s just an easy source of revenue for the police and courts. It’s also the government’s original ‘stimulus plan’ to keep all those revenue agents employed with the end of the prohibition of alcohol. And since it’s only hippies, liberals, darkies, and other undesirables that use drugs recreationally it’s also a nice way for all those nice social conservatives to stick it to everyone who rejects their point of view.
In Texas 1.2 million people refused to pay DWI ‘surcharges’ over 3 years. The policy failed and is being repealed. Maybe if those 1.6 million arrested a year for drug violations just refused to show up in court…

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Elizabeth McFall says:

March 25, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Rush was never charged.
The point of the matter is that it is against the law in Texas. Period.

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Shannon Rene Gardner says:

March 25, 2011 at 2:21 pm

While it is apparent that Willie was given a break,I hope it shows the stupidity of our nations drug laws.We the people are the ones who should decide what we choose to do with our bodies and minds.The U.S. Government has lost all validity and can no longer be taken serious in any form,Unjust laws ,unjust wars ,and dont forget the unjust murder of our own people.Willie is and will be eternal in the realm of music.God bless Willie Nelson and may God help America.

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Loretta Young-Wilkins says:

March 25, 2011 at 1:24 pm

I couldn’t be more pleased — way to go Bramblett!

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Coinspinner says:

March 25, 2011 at 11:42 am

Don’t plead guilty, Willie!! No jury in TX will convict.

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“You bet your ass I ain’t gonna be mean to Willie Nelson.” says:

March 25, 2011 at 7:48 am

Check out the article from the Big Bend Sentinal concerning how stupid even the judge thinks it is to mess with Willie for smoking pot.

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Rhayader says:

March 25, 2011 at 7:12 am

Kudos to Mr Bramblett for recognizing that there are better uses of his office’s resources than pursuing extensive punishments for the victimless “crime” of marijuana possession. Neither Willie Nelson nor anybody else should be in trouble with the law because of cannabis, end of story.

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J.W. says:

March 25, 2011 at 6:52 am

It’s all well and good that he knows that weed is in fact harmless and did the right thing. However,what will he do to the next guy. What about the guy who loses a months wages and ISN’T a country superstar.Some of us don’t HAVE a bunch of money to throw at these thieves.

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CW says:

March 25, 2011 at 11:43 am

Maybe they’ll let you do a tap dance routine in the courtroom to knock off some that time and fine. Yep, this confirms that the war on drugs is simply another tool in class warfare.

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Don Dickerson says:

March 25, 2011 at 6:02 am

While I love Willie, this ain’t right. I got busted with .25 oz, I got $500 fine, $2500 in courst costs, 9 months probation… Guess I’m just not rich.

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Maria says:

March 25, 2011 at 9:51 am

You know. You’re right. He is rich. And he is also loved and respected. He surely knows how lucky he is compared to the average joe? He has the resources to make something like this become just another story instead of becoming a life altering event.

So many in the media and law enforcement spheres are amused by the “harmless” old crooner smoking a little spliff yet they routinely treat the less known as trash.

While Willie has done a lot for cannabis smokers he can help shine a light on this specific situation.

Maybe set up a fund that would pay the court costs and fines of all people caught “traveling through,” in this county, or other counties, and who are targeted under “personal use”?

The truth is. There’s a lot of petty cash to be made by keeping this stuff illegal and such a fund, while helping people, could also help show just how much.

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CW says:

March 25, 2011 at 11:38 am

Yep, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer

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Patts says:

March 25, 2011 at 5:11 am

I just love the Willie Man so much. I am really glad he only got a slap on the rist. They should of gave him back his weed. Also should be paying him to make this little bitty Town Sheriff famous…that’s bulllllllshit! Smoke em if ya got em! Peace!

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Bob P. says:

March 25, 2011 at 5:04 am

The War on Drugs is a war on the people. End prohibition. This is waste of money.

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CATFISH LAWHORN says:

March 25, 2011 at 2:11 am

to all those who agree with me,,lets all stand up and march like the great ones do, if you feel the need to get this legalized, then do something about it,dont just sit there, get up and march,,surely you can walk while you’re high,, lets meet on the capital ,, on december 21 2012, we will be the voice that is heard,,,,,,, 4:20 am,,,, be there or be square, dont forget your flags.

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Jorj Ammo says:

March 24, 2011 at 11:48 pm

Cryyyyyyyyy Me a riverrrrrrrrrrr…..
Go!!Go!!Go.. snap crackle Pop Willie..

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John Langdon says:

March 24, 2011 at 11:33 pm

Finally some one who gets it! Congrats to the count attorney Bamblett, and to the judge Becky Walker, it takes guts to stand up and say ENOUGH! I applaud your courage.

Then there are people or a lame excuse for them like the first commenter E.R. who seems to think that it would be better to lock people up for smoking pot. Just reading her comment made me ask “I wonder how much money she has invested into the prison system”?Then again maybe she works for the DEA,or she or her husband/boyfriend/lover/brother/dad work for the Police in some respect. Just food for thought!

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Kevin says:

March 24, 2011 at 10:03 pm

That’s good, but what they should do is apologize to Willie for bothering him, give him back his cannabis, repeal the anti cannabis laws, and PAY him to sing the song. He did nothing wrong.

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rastimmy says:

March 24, 2011 at 9:38 pm

He shouldn’t be fined and he shouldn’t have to go to court. No one should, for cannabis. If the judge and DA want to hear Willie sing they should buy a ticket and go to his show.

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Elizabeth Ramos says:

March 24, 2011 at 5:21 pm

This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard! Since when does anyone get off this easy, I don’t care who you are or what you need the drugs for! What kind of corrupt county are you? I thought we were trying to keep the drugs out, not give tips on how to downsize your load to make it legal?!

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davidjohnson says:

March 24, 2011 at 7:31 pm

“If it’s a misdemeanor amount, like Nelson’s, Bramblett commonly allows them to plead and pay a fine and court costs through the mail.”

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Bushdoctor says:

March 24, 2011 at 9:04 pm

I think you’ve been watching too much ‘Dragnet’. Get a grip lady! Maybe smoke a doobie, fer Dog’s sake.

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dawn says:

March 24, 2011 at 11:22 pm

you sound like a baby that needs a binky. Stop crying it is only weed. It grows natural just like an apple. If one is going to be illegal they both should be. And what does it matter to you what kind of a penalty they give him? Are you afraid that he might beat you to the dope mans house? Chill out smoke a doobie, actually inhale and you will see that it is not as bad as the ignorant people in this country believe it is.

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Bob says:

March 25, 2011 at 3:06 am

Our Marijuana laws are stupid. Prosecuting people for small amounts of Marijuana is a waste of taxpayers money.

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Hypnoswan says:

March 25, 2011 at 6:38 am

corrupt country? Sheesh man you sure are naiive!

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Elizabeth Ramos says:

March 25, 2011 at 9:48 am

COUNTY, guess you’ve smoked one too many that now you can’t even read:) And yes you would be arrested for more than just a misdemeanor in my COUNTY. Oh, and there’s only 1 i in naive – and your it.

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Linda says:

March 25, 2011 at 6:38 am

Get a life…

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ron anderson says:

March 24, 2011 at 4:51 pm

I am 71 and will you cut me a deal ????? I cannot sing /

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jen says:

March 24, 2011 at 4:43 pm

thanks for having a heart – God bless Willie – Free the herb – give people their God given medicine – Science proves it cures cancer -see Cancer Gate – one acre = 500 gallons of GAS – here in Utah, its a 3rd degree felony!!!! when not a minute goes by without an arrest – they don’t care about justice – just filling their jails!!! Hemp is from Heaven – it’s not the problem – it’s the cure………..

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dawn says:

March 24, 2011 at 11:23 pm

I could not agree more

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Meh says:

March 24, 2011 at 3:52 pm

How do you spell awesome? B-R-A-M-B-L-E-T-T!

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Kerry Grombacher says:

March 24, 2011 at 3:43 pm

Here’s a tune that I wrote earlier this year. No recording yet, but I’m doing it at shows.

The Deal that Willie Got

I want the deal that Willie got when he was busted holding pot
At the Border Patrol checkpoint. They didn’t throw him in the joint
They let him climb back on his bus
That cloud he left sure wasn’t dust
They could have kept him there to rot
I want the deal that Willie got

If you’re driving down the highway
Interstate or scenic byway
You might get stopped because you’re speeding
And pretty soon you’ll be heard pleading
Mister Sheriff don’t be nervous
Just give me community service
I’ll tell my fans ‘bout Toys for Tots
That’s the deal that Willie got

From Ray Price to Toby Keith
He smoked them underneath their seats
When they finally rose again
You could hear this stoned refrain
I want the dealer Willie’s got
This is sure some righteous pot
At least that’s what I think I thought
I want the dealer Willie’s got

When you’re on the road again
Passing a doobie with your friends
If blue lights begin to flash
And they find your secret stash
Ask for the deal that Willie got
He prob’ly got to keep his pot
Who says that Justice can’t be bought?
I want the deal that Willie got

I want the deal that Willie got
When he was busted holding pot
At the Border Patrol checkpoint
The didn’t throw him in the joint
They let him climb back on his bus
That cloud he left sure wasn’t dust
It’s inconvenient to be caught
The complications can be fraught
When the going gets too hot
Tell ‘em thanks, thanks alot
I want the deal that Willie got

© 2011 Kerry Grombacher (Ring of Fire Music – BMI)
512-296-7833 kgrombacher@yahoo.com

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Jason says:

March 24, 2011 at 5:17 pm

Great lyrics, Kerry Grombacher. I’d love to hear it.

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capkanada says:

March 24, 2011 at 8:05 pm

Tab, please?

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Maria says:

March 25, 2011 at 9:53 am

Love it.

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Paul Barefoot says:

March 24, 2011 at 3:42 pm

Right on, HCA Bramblett!

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Well folks, if Willie Nelson can sing in court to settle his pot charge, and the Law is the same for each & everyone of us, then everyone should learn to sing in case they get busted for a pot possion charge.
irra



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