Thursday, March 01, 2007

Former Phish Frontman Pleads Not Guilty

Trey Anastasio, musician/songwriter, has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a traffic stop on December 15, 2006.

The 42-year old former front man of the jam band Phish, is facing up to 14 years in prison after being charged on seven counts, including a felony drug possession charge and a DWI.

During his arrest, Anastasio was found to illegally possess prescription painkillers and driving while impaired. He is also charged with possessing anti-anxiety medication that belongs to someone else, as well as heroin.

"He has a problem, he knows it and is working with it," Steve Coffey, Anastasio's attorney, said. Coffey also said that Anastasio has attended a 28-day treatment program in January to overcome his addiction.

"He told me `I'm here to face the consequences and work it out with the court and go on with my life,'" Coffey said.

Anastasio and his wife, Susan, declined to make any comments to the crowd of media outside the courthouse.

His next scheduled court appearance is March 27.

Fans of Trey Anastasio can even find T-Shirts online showing support for him, like this one here.