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Judge dismisses case after singer-songwriter Bruno Mars completes probation
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Bruno Mars
Fulfilled sentencing obligations
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Grammy-winning pop singer and songwriter Bruno Mars has successfully completed a year of probation stemming from his 2010 drug bust at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Clark County District Judge Jessie Walsh dismissed the case Wednesday after learning Mars had fulfilled all of his sentencing obligations, including performing more than 200 hours of community service.
Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, did not appear in court and was represented by Las Vegas celebrity criminal defense attorney David Chesnoff and Los Angeles attorney Blair Berk.
Mars also paid a $2,000 fine, stayed out of trouble during his probation and attended drug counseling.
Mars pleaded guilty to felony cocaine possession last year after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
Afterward, Berk said, Mars performed more community service than required. "Bruno earned the dismissal. He exceeded the expectations of the court," she said.
Mars, 26, performed 228 hours of community service, mostly doing charity events in Los Angeles, including visiting a children's hospital and at least one in Minnesota, prosecutor Tina Sedlock said.
Mars has done charity work in Nevada, but none of that was used to satisfy the court's sentence, Berk confirmed.
Mars, who last year won a Grammy award for best male pop vocal, was arrested in September 2010 at the Hard Rock Hotel after an attendant saw him with a plastic bag of white powder in a restroom stall. According to a Las Vegas police arrest report, Mars, who was wearing a striped red shirt and jeans, was discovered with 2.6 grams of cocaine. When confronted by hotel security, Mars handed over the baggie.
Mars later asked a police officer, "'Can I speak to you honestly, sir?' Hernandez (Mars) admitted he did a foolish thing and has never used drugs before," according to the arrest report.
Mars' arrest came on the heels of a two-year undercover investigation of the Hard Rock Hotel conducted by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The investigation targeted hotel hosts and security personnel who were selling drugs and providing patrons with private restrooms for drug use and sex.
Mars' musical career soared in popularity over the past few years for singing and co-writing pop hits "Nothin' On You" by B.o.B and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy.
He scored a Billboard No. 1 hit with his song "Just The Way You Are."
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
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Give the kid a break! He did everything that was asked of him. There are sentencing guidlines, and he adhered to everything and then some. 26 year old first time offender, I'd say the sentanse was just. Only time will tell
@joe.johnston: Judge Jesse Walsh is a female.
@joe.johnson sounds like you've shown up @ Court unprepared to proceed for your client..., you might spend less time blogging & a little more preparing!
Judge Walsh is a Constitutionalist, and rarely overturned on appeal.
Bruno got the same deal as any 1st time offender(no Priors)
Judge Walsh took over Mars' case after County Clark Deputy District Attorney David Schubert, who prosecuted Mars in early 2011, was arrested for buying cocaine himself a few months later.
Judge Jesse needs to be removed from the bench for this. Tell all your friends, write down his name and be sure to not vote for him in the next go around. The law is applied at will and not across the board as well as legislated from the bench. The ONLY recourse we have in Nevada is to vote them out and pray we dont get someone similar. They are unaccountable for these types of judgements. I like Oscar.Jones term, Celebrity Justice.
You're right Mrs Ed, skin color was the reason, not the fact he was caught doing illegal drugs. grow up mrs ed
Poor Bruno, had to behave for a year. How did you survive Bruno. Such strict punishment
Probation, wow. Anyone else caught snorting coke would be in jail. money pays again
Big deal. Just arested because of his skin color anyway.
I'll catch a grenade for ya....... yea yea yea Get caught with cocaine for ya...... yea yea yea
Celebrity Justice. Not the same rules as ordinary citizens. THEY always get Porbation and Dismissals. Anyone else is looking at time in the Slammer. A Judge who is notably weak on fair Justice, towards Celebrities or Politicians or Corrupt Lawyers, is a Judge that can be bought.