NEW YORK – A Manhattan judge has adjourned a court appearance by Boy George on narcotics charges until next year. The singer was said to be in England.
Criminal Court Judge Patricia Nunez granted the adjournment Monday at the request of defense and prosecution lawyers. Boy George, whose real name is George O'Dowd, is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 1.
The judge asked whether the case was near a resolution. Assistant District Attorney Craig Ortner said he and George's lawyer had held discussions. But Lewis Freeman, George's lawyer, said no plea negotiations had yet taken place.
Freeman said outside court that George was excused from this court date so he could work on literary and recording projects in England.
George, 44, is famous for his androgynous persona and Culture Club hits, including "Karma Chameleon" and "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?"
He was arrested Oct. 7 on drug charges after he called 911 to report what he said was a pre-dawn burglary in his Manhattan apartment.
Officers arrived at George's apartment and discovered a small amount of cocaine next to a computer, police said.
George was released the next day without bail after being arraigned on a charge of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, allegedly more than one-eighth of an ounce of cocaine, Barbara Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, said at the time.
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