Scott Weiland pleaded not guilty to charges of drug possession Monday (June 2), and offered to put himself in rehab before his next court date.
The Stone Temple Pilots singer had been arrested last month in Burbank after police stopped him for a minor traffic violation and found what they believed to be drugs. He was charged with two felony counts of possession of heroin and cocaine. Jennifer Lynn Sires, a 29-year-old woman traveling with him whom he reportedly met in rehab, was also arrested on the same illegal substance possession charges. Her arraignment is on Tuesday.
According to a spokesperson for the Project, a supergroup with which Weiland has been collaborating, the drugs did not belong to the singer, but to the female he was with. The Project includes ex-Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, and the band has recorded two songs with Weiland – a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Money” for “The Italian Job,” and an original song called “Set Me Free” for “The Hulk” (see “Slash/ Duff/ Matt Coming Soon, Axl Nowhere In Sight” ).
Looking somber in a black suit, Weiland spoke little during his arraignment at the Burbank division of Los Angeles Superior Court, other than to say, “yes, your honor” and “thank you, your honor.” He volunteered to attend a rehab program before his next court date, which Judge Chesley McKay set for July 11.
That program is currently being decided, according to a source close to the Project, who have been trying to help the singer lessen his risk of a relapse, including exploring options such as methadone treatment, 24-hour supervision and martial-arts programs that would require mental discipline.
Outside the courtroom, Weiland told reporters, “It went great today.”
He faces up to a year in county jail if convicted.
