Prosecutors Ask Judge to Drop Winona Ryder Drug Charge

Winona Ryder will have a felony drug charge dropped if a judge approves a request by prosecutors who believe the actress had a reason to possess the generic painkiller. A Beverly Hills Superior Court judge received a two-page motion from county prosecutors to dismiss the charge and is expected to make a ruling on Nov. 15, the day Ryder is to stand trial on charges of felony grand theft, commercial burglary and vandalism.

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Winona Ryder will have a felony drug charge dropped if a judge approves a request by prosecutors who believe the actress had a reason to possess the generic painkiller. Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Elden S. Fox received a two-page motion from county prosecutors to dismiss the charge and is expected to make a ruling on Nov. 15, the day the “Girl, Interrupted” star is to stand trial on charges of felony grand theft, commercial burglary and vandalism. Prosecutors asked the judge Wednesday to dismiss the charge, saying Ryder’s defense offered a sworn statement from someone suggesting the actress had reason to have a generic form of the prescription pill Percocet. District attorney’s office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons refused to say who provided the statement, but said it made it clear that Ryder did not have “the requisite criminal knowledge” necessary to support the drug charge. A source close to the case said Ryder’s defense attorneys provided evidence that she received the pills from a doctor. Ryder’s attorney, Mark Geragos, said he was pleased with the district attorney’s decision but would not say what was contained in the declaration. Ryder was arrested in December at the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills for allegedly stealing nearly $6,000 worth of designer merchandise and illegally possessing the medication. Ryder’s credits also include “Mr. Deeds,” “Little Women” and “Reality Bites.” Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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