Bush niece jailed for drugs
2002-10-17 17:57
Miami - Noelle Bush, a niece of US President George W Bush and the
daughter of Florida governor Jeb Bush, was sentenced on Thursday to 10
days in jail for failing to meet the conditions of a drug treatment
programme.
Live coverage by local television showed sheriff's deputies
leading her away in handcuffs after a court in Orlando, Florida,
found her guilty of contempt of court for violating the terms of
the treatment plan ordered after she tried to use a fake
prescription to buy an anti-depressant in January.
Mr Justice Reginald Whitehead did not explain why Bush (25) was in
contempt.
Bush was already jailed for two days in July after staff at the
rehabilitation centre where she was being treated found her in
possession of prescription pills. Police also found crack cocaine
at the centre, but staff who alerted authorities refused to testify
against Bush.
On Tuesday, Whitehead ruled against a motion to have the rulings
closed to the public.
Jeb Bush was not present at Thursday's hearing.
US President George W Bush planned to travel Thursday to Daytona Beach, Florida, 90km from Orlando, to attend a fund-raiser for the governor, his brother, who is seeking re-election on November 5.
- Sapa-AFP
- SAPA