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| Watson's new mug shot |
By Will Collette
LATE, LATE UPDATE: now the ProJo reports that Connecticut won't pile on and add new charges against Watson for violating the terms of his bail. For now.
LATE UPDATE: The Providence Journal reports that the Connecticut State's Attorney's Office is reviewing Watson arrest yesterday on drug charges. Watson is free on a $500 bond from his arrest last spring in East Haven, CT. This new arrest may violate the terms and conditions of his CT release. Connecticut authorities could increase his bond, order weekly drug tests or take other steps, according to Watson's attorney.
UPDATED: GoLocalProv reports that in addition to a bag of weed and a pipe, Watson also had an open beer. WJAR reports that Watson has checked himself into rehab.
LATE UPDATE: The Providence Journal reports that the Connecticut State's Attorney's Office is reviewing Watson arrest yesterday on drug charges. Watson is free on a $500 bond from his arrest last spring in East Haven, CT. This new arrest may violate the terms and conditions of his CT release. Connecticut authorities could increase his bond, order weekly drug tests or take other steps, according to Watson's attorney.
UPDATED: GoLocalProv reports that in addition to a bag of weed and a pipe, Watson also had an open beer. WJAR reports that Watson has checked himself into rehab.
WPRO reports that when police stopped Watson, he offered this articulate explanation:
“Do you know who I am? I’m the E.G. Rep....F*** You, whatever, whatever, whatever, whatever, whatever, F*** you....”and, as he was being arrested, " “Shut up. You got your guy!”
Several sources report that the state Republican leadership are standing by Watson and NOT calling for his resignation. Of course, after his arrest last year on drug charges in the Connecticut, the initial public reaction from his GOP colleagues was their full support. The next day, they kicked him to the curb, removing him as Minority Leader.
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The Providence Journal just reported that former Republican Minority Leader State Representative Robert Watson was arrested early this morning in South Kingstown. A snow plow driver called police just before midnight to report an erratic driver.
Police say the plow driver said "an intoxicated motorist was driving on a flat tire and almost struck him,"
Police arrested Watson and found a pipe on the floor of the driver's side and a bag of grass. Watson was released at 4:20 AM this morning and is scheduled to appear in court on February 2.
Watson was arrested last year in East Haven, CT when he was stopped at a sobriety check point. He failed the field sobriety test and was charged when police found marijuana in his car. Later, his blood test results showed he was just under the limit for alcohol, but that his blood tested positive for cocaine.
Watson was stripped of his Republican leadership post by his colleagues. Watson gave various explanations for his problems. He claimed he used marijuana medicinally, though he never registered under the state's medical marijuana law. He claimed the Connecticut police were picking on him because he is a legislator (but in another state). No doubt, Watson will have more interesting explanations for this latest episode.