Man Arrested With Herbs Freed at Trial

A judge in Vinita, Okla., dismissed a driving-under-the-influence case against a black man who was arrested with what turned out to be a bag of herbs. Judge Harry Wyatt dismissed the case against George Singleton, saying prosecutors hadn’t presented enough evidence. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Alvin Lavender pulled over Singleton, 49, saying he was weaving and speeding. Lavender seized a bag of what looked like marijuana, but it turned out to be herbs. Blood tests for drugs were negative too. Singleton’s lawyer had said police pursued the charge because Singleton is black.