The 55-years-old goth-rock singer allegedly drove under influence, possessed illegal drug and injured a person in a hit and run.
- Mar 20, 2013
AceShowbiz - Peter Murphy pleaded not guilty to driving under influence, methamphetamine possession and hit-and-run driving charges on Tuesday, March 19. Murphy, who was not present at Los Angeles County Superior Court, submitted the plea via his attorney, Robert Wilson.
Judge Frederick Rotenberg released Murphy on his own recognizance despite prosecutor's concern that he would fly out of the country. The rock singer, who is a British native, now lives in Turkey.
Judge Rotternberg, however, put a driving ban to Murphy "anywhere" and under "any condition" without the court's permission. Wilson stated that the singer would be on tour in North America and Europe starting from April 22. Therefore, keeping him from driving would cause disturbance to his work.
Murphy was arrested in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16 after he allegedly rear-ended a Mercedes in an intersection in Glendale. Murphy then fled the scene to highway. The Mercedes' driver, who was injured at the incident, was able to provide Murphy's plat number to the police. In addition, an eyewitness took a picture of Murphy's front-end which was moderately damaged.
A driver of a pickup truck reportedly followed Murphy's car in the highway into Los Angeles, where he later pulled his car in front of Murphy's Subaru to block the Bauhaus vocalist from moving until the police arrived. Glendale police stated that the pickup car driver "was afraid [Murphy] would kill someone with his driving."
Glendale authorities said that Murphy looked "very confused" as he had difficulty to tell the date and time. Murphy, who reportedly admitted he was involved in the hit and run, however, denied consuming alcohol. He said he only had anti-depressant prescription and he felt jet lagged.
The police later found a small plastic bag which presumably contained methamphetamine. Although Murphy claimed that the plastic bag did not belong to him, the police believed that he tried to dump the plastic bag.
