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This section displays all of the Watertown and North Country news articles published in the past 7 days.

Updated 10/29/2008 06:16 AM

Charges reduced for Barenaked Ladies singer

By: Web Staff

Charges reduced for Barenaked Ladies singer
FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y. -- It was a media frenzy as Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page entered a courtroom to face drug charges.

Page was arrested and charged in July for felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, along with his girlfriend Christine Benedicto and her roommate Stephanie Ford. Village police say they saw Page snorting cocaine at an East Genesee Street home and court documents say Page admitted the white powder he was found with was indeed cocaine.

The trio faced a judge one by one on Tuesday. The District Attorney's Office agreed to reduce each person's charges to misdemeanor and will dismiss them entirely six months from now if conditions are met.

"During that period of time, as long as the person complies with the conditions set by the court, the charges at the end of the time are dismissed," said Page's Defense Lawyer Mark Mahoney.

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Page, Benedicto and Ford must all seek treatment and stay out of trouble.

"I look forward to the next six months as a period of healing and of growth," said Page.

Page says he'll continue to prove himself as a productive and law abiding citizen. He thanked his family, friends and fans for their support.

"I also apologize to all of those I have hurt or embarrassed during this episode. The respect and the responsibility I have earned over the course of my life and my career thus far are important to me and I am moving forward with gratitude and with hope," said Page.

Page will return home to Toronto for treatment and to undergo regular screenings. Page's attorney says the DA's office reduced the charges based on laboratory results.

Mahoney says it's because of the quantity and quality of the cocaine found.