The charges of "lewd conduct against a child under 14" against Paula Poundstone have been DROPPED.

September 13, 2001 11:11 PM

The charges of "lewd conduct against a child under 14" against Paula Poundstone have been DROPPED. She pleaded no contest to a couple other charges related to the fact that she had been driving drunk with her kids in the car. I'm posting this because child molestation charges ruin careers and entire lives. Since we covered the initial charges here quite a bit, it's only fair to note her apparent innocence just as prominently, especially during a time like this when any non-attack news is being largely ignored. (Indeed, this story itself is nearly two days old.)
posted by aaron (14 comments total)

sarcasm
Wonder if she hypnotized the judge with her hilarious comedy routine.
/sarcasm
posted by Return of BE at 11:19 PM on September 13, 2001

quite right, aaron. thank you.
posted by rebeccablood at 11:19 PM on September 13, 2001

it's weird to think about how interested we were in the business of celebrities a few days ago... america goes on regardless, and i don't mean that as a negative comment.
posted by babydoll at 11:25 PM on September 13, 2001

Ask Whitney Houston about the business of celebrities.
posted by allaboutgeorge at 11:55 PM on September 13, 2001

Who gives a shit.
posted by catatonic at 1:19 AM on September 14, 2001

Not you, clearly, catatonic. My suggestion is in future, if 'you don't give a shit', that you remain silent.

Just a suggestion.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:24 AM on September 14, 2001

what's sad is that those charges, tho dropped, will forever haunt her. much like michael jackson, she will forever be viewed as a child molestor.
posted by dogmatic at 4:47 AM on September 14, 2001

I'm awfully glad to hear this news. Poor Paula.
posted by acridrabbit at 4:59 AM on September 14, 2001

I really hope that doesn't happen, dogmatic. I always thought she was funny and likable. I'd hate to see this taint her carreer to any extent -- though it obviously will.
posted by lizardboy at 5:40 AM on September 14, 2001

Who gives a shit.

Anyone who believes in fairness and the principle that someone is innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, even if this news had broken in a slow-news week, I don't think it would ever reach as many people as the initial allegation.
posted by rcade at 6:01 AM on September 14, 2001

Michael Jackson paid a settlement believed to exceed $20 million dollars to the alleged victims of his improper behavior.

Paula Poundstone, on the other hand, appears to have been entirely exonerated. Endangering a child by driving drunk -- while a reprehensible act in itself -- has simply nothing, whatever, to do child molestation or even willful child abuse.

I cannot imagine ANY prosecutor dropping molestation-type charges for this kind of plea bargain if there was any substanance to the lewd-conduct allegations.

I would be quite interested to learn of the evidence (or "evidence") that supported the initial charge. Maybe she got drunk and passed out nude on the couch where her kids could see her, and some cop decided that was molestation? We'll most likely never know.
posted by MattD at 6:22 AM on September 14, 2001

Well perhaps being forever branded a child-molester will prove an apt punishment and consistent reminder to her that driving drunk with 4 kids in the car is a no-no. My sympathy for her is less than zero.
posted by daragh at 6:33 AM on September 14, 2001

A good post, aaron. Daragh, I understand your point, but the perpetuation of false allegations -- especially of this kind -- only makes the cases that really happen that much harder to prosecute. Victims of abuse have a tough time being believed, and it can only help for us to be scrupulous about who we accuse.
posted by BT at 6:39 AM on September 14, 2001

Has anyone seen To Tell the Truth? She deserves to go to jail for that.
posted by dig_duggler at 7:50 AM on September 14, 2001