There's good news to report today: at the request of prosecutors, a judge in Houston has dismissed the case against Wayna who was arrested earlier in the week for attempting to board a plane with a collapsible police baton in her carry-on luggage and all charges have been dropped. Just writing the name Wayna in the same sentence as "case" and "charges" is unreal to me, but thankfully that will be the last time I'll ever have to do so. Details on the dismissal and an official statement from Wayna's spokesperson, JJ Ghatt, can be found after the bounce. This is awesome news for the singer and bad news for everyone who printed up "FREE WAYNA" t-shirts.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE DISMISSAL OF THE WEAPONS
CHARGE AGAINST WAYNA
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wayna appeared in court this morning with her attorney, Kyle R. Sampson, to answer the complaint
against her. Throughout this process, Wayna was treated just as any other citizen would be treated
under the circumstances. It is the usual procedure that persons released on bail return to court within a
few days to answer their charge.
After meeting with the prosecutor assigned to the case, the District Attorney's Office dismissed the
complaint. The senior prosecutor recognized the case for what it was: an honest mistake that did not
rise to the level of a criminal offense. Based on the facts, that was undoubtedly the correct decision,
and we are thankful for that decision.
On the inbound leg of her trip to Austin, Texas to perform at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music
festival, Wayna safely transported in her checked luggage the baton which she uses as a prop when
performing her song Billy Club, a ballad that uses the metaphor of an abusive relationship with a
character named Billy to represent police brutality. Following a subsequent performance in Houston,
Wayna was in a haste to catch a plane to Miami where she is set to attend and perform at the Winter
Music Festival. She simply forgot the item had been nestled deep within a stage bag containing cds,
make up and other materials she carries to performances. We are certain that many people can attest
to the experience of having to rush to catch a plane and mistakenly forgetting to put certain items in
their luggage to be checked.
To her fans, family, supporters, the media and members of the public, generally, Wayna says,
I'm deeply thankful for all the prayers and expressions of support I've received.
Obviously, the past 48 hours have been life-altering. I'm incredibly relieved and
grateful that it's over and that justice prevailed.
