Posted on 04/28/2005 2:34:44 PM PDT by Asphalt
APRIL 28--One of the five remaining "American Idol" finalists was once arrested for felony cocaine possession, but had the charge--and a separate marijuana count--dismissed last year after completing a so-called "diversion program," The Smoking Gun has learned. Harold "Bo" Bice, 29, was busted in June 2001 by Huntsville, Alabama cops and hit with the drug count, a Class C felony, according to the below warrant. He was arrested again in July 2003 near Birmingham and charged with marijuana possession, public intoxication, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. He pleaded guilty to the latter two misdemeanors in December 2004. The pot charge was dismissed after Bice's successful completion of the same diversion program that covered his prior cocaine bust. In that 2001 case, a District Court preliminary hearing was set for August 29, but when a Huntsville Police Department investigator did not show, Judge Susan Moquin dismissed the Bice case, according to a court docket. But with prosecutors prepared to refile the felony count, Bice later opted to enter a drug diversion program overseen by the district attorney's office, according to Heather Douglas, spokesperson for the Madison County D.A.. Bice formally entered the diversion program in 2003 following his pot arrest, and the two separate drug possession charges were effectively merged and covered by Bice's diversion program, according to a TSG source familiar with the cases (the cocaine charge was bounced on April 28, 2004, and the pot rap was dismissed five months ago). Bice was arrested on the cocaine charge after scoring about 1/2 a gram of the drug from an acquaintance at Huntsville's Silver Dollar strip club, according to a source. If convicted of the felony coke charge, Bice would have faced a maximum of 10 years in jail, though a probationary term would have been more likely. While details of what Bice had to do in the diversion program are confidential, enrollees usually must submit to urine tests, undergo drug counseling, and attend awareness classes. Bice, who worked at the time in a Huntsville bar, is a long-haired rocker whose gritty appearance and performances have stood out from "American Idol"'s usual pop pablum. On Fox Television's "Idol" web site, Bice reports that his "most embarrassing moment" was when he once "fell off stage during a show."
My wife and I acted as if the Cubs had just won the world series when he was sent packing. He really creeped out the wife. She said every time he looked at the camera he seemed to be saying "@!$# me!"
Me too! Although Scott was the one that deserved to go last night, based on performance. But, I can honestly say I was not upset that Constantine got the boot.
ROTFL! He didn't REALLY lick the microphone. It was just a bit of humor on his part. That's why I like him; he's only half serious at all times. He's just got that fun factor. I love that kind of personality.
I won't tell. LOL! (You racist! LOL!)
LOL! That was the first thing that entered my mind too!
Didn't much care for his camera antics and the faces he made.
I agree with your post 58 100%
Sorry.....I should have posted a warning about four posts up..........LOL.
Ok. I'll give you that one, but I just didn't dig it. The singer I really liked no one else liked so I can't say too much. But the one I liked was Nikko. I know I'm fixing to be flamed for that one. Of course, I still love Bo. His hometown is 30 minutes from here and I just have a loyalty to him. I think he is a decent sort, seems really nice. He has been singing in his church this past year so I am really hoping he is on the mend.
:) That's ok. I am sure ghost of freepers past enjoyed the pic.
I liked Nikko but the rest of my family didn't. He had a great voice, but some of his gestures bugged me. I liked his hats.
Howlin has excellent musical taste.
I thought about this a bit more and I don't think it's fair to kick some people off the show for past behavior and not others. I'd love to know how they decide.
And that attitude is why so many people are still voting for Scott. Trash someone for being ugly, and those who don't consider themselves 'movie star'-looking often think you are trashing them, too.
That and the 'vote for the worst' campaign pushing for Scott are what have kept him in the game while some of the other favorites have gone home.
I liked his hats too. I really liked his rhythm and blues style; jazzy. However I don't think he had much of a personality. :(
Nadia and Constantine were both way better than Scott...
I just heard on the news that Constantine signed a record contract.
I agree with your post number 12. I'm scared that the main people dialing in are like Heather Locklear's daughter though.
First of all, as the TSG story says, both charges were dismissed after his participation in the diversion program, following Bo's good fortune that the cop didn't show up in court. So, there is no "this." In the eyes of the law, even though Bice has been arrested, he has not been convicted of anything.
Secondly, there have only been three previous seasons -- which contestants that "were sent packing because of things less than this" are you referring to? Jaered Andrews, jailed for his role in a deadly bar brawl during a celebration of reaching the semifinals? The talented Frenchie Davis, who posed for topless photos (simulating masturbation) on a pornographic website? Corey Clark, who was competing as a finalist while awaiting trial for assaulting police officers investigating a fight between he and his 15-year-old sister?
Trenyce from the second season (and, IMHO, the best season so far) had a felony theft charge expunged after she completed a diversion program, and Scott Savol continued to compete despite a fourth-degree misdemeanor conviction resulting from a domestic violence incident in 2001 with the mother of his son. So I don't know what you're talking about.
Fantasia Barrino won last year. Nadia was a contestant this year and she made it through until a week or so ago.
Probably with Paula. :-)
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