Courtney Love Faces Trial in Drug Case
After a brief hearing Thursday, a judge ordered rock star Courtney Love to stand trial for illegal possession of painkillers.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elden Fox ruled that prosecutors presented enough evidence to order Love to trial.
The 39-year-old singer has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of illegal possession of hydrocodone and oxycodone. Her lawyers say she had a prescription for the drugs.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Stodel called a single witness, Beverly Hills Police Officer Douglas Trerise, who testified that Love handed him pills, later identified as the prescription painkillers, when he responded to a call for help at her home in the early hours of Oct. 2.
Earlier the same night, Love allegedly broke windows at the home of a friend, and has been charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance in connection with that incident.
Love, the widow of grunge rocker Kurt Cobain, was the lead singer of the band Hole and a Golden Globe nominee for her role in the film “The People vs. Larry Flynt.” Her new solo album, “America’s Sweetheart,” has received mixed reviews.
If convicted, Love could be sentenced to a maximum of three years and eight months in prison. Stodel said Love would be eligible for a drug diversion program. Love is scheduled to appear for arraignment April 30 in Beverly Hills Superior Court.
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