FAYETTEVILLE -- A felony drug charge against Barenaked Ladies lead singer Steven Page was reduced in Fayetteville Village Court Tuesday evening.
The felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and the 38-year-old Page, who is from Toronto, was given what's called an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which means the charges will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for six months.
Page was arrested in Fayetteville last July while visiting his girlfriend 28-year-old Christine Benedicto and her roommate 25-year-old Stephanie Ford.
Page's defense attorney Mark Mahoney said the Onondaga County District Attorney's office agreed to reduce the charges against Page because of his lack of a prior criminal record and because lab analyses showed that the drugs were "lower in quantity and lower in quality" than first suspected.
After the court hearing Page apologized to his family, friends, and fans and thanked them for their support.
"It has meant a great deal for me to be shown the impact I have on others' lives ... I am deeply moved and thankful," Page said. "I also apologize to all those I have hurt and embarrassed during this episode. Respect, responsibility I have earned over the course of my life and my career thus far are important to me, and I am moving forward from this with gratitude and with hope."
Page had faced up to 5 1/2 years in state prison if he had been convicted of the original charge against him, a felony fourth-degree criminal possession count.
