In the News: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Dealer Wants Rehab Instead of Prison

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57-year-old Robert Vineberg was arrested two days after Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead from a suspected overdose. Vineberg’s lawyer filed court documents to say that his client should go to a diversion program for his huge smack habit. The druggie jazz musician pleaded for rehab on Tuesday.There were also two others who were dragged to court for the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman – Juliana Luchkiw and Max Rosenblum. The two were caught up in a raid that was related to Hoffman’s obvious overdose. Neither lawyer would say whether their clients, both who are 22-years-old, are in search of drug treatment. They have said their clients were not associated with the deceased actor.

A small time later in court, Robert Vineberg’s lawyer debated his client, a stressed jazz musician, has an out-of-control heroin addiction and is need of rehab — not prison. Vineberg’s lawyer, who just so happens to live in the same Mott St. building as Rosenblum and Luchkiw, is requesting for a transfer to drug court because he said his client’s 10 bags of dope-a-day issue is fueling the strung-out jazz players supposed drug dealing. The motion asks the judge to transfer Vineberg’s felony drug case to what’s recognized as a diversion program.

If accepted, the friend of the late Oscar-winner would possibly get the opportunity to plead to a reduced charge or have the case terminated after a long period of rigorous therapy. Prosecutors stated that 300 bags of heroin were discovered amongst Vineberg’s two apartments during his February 4^th arrest. Authorities said the sweep was part of an investigation into the actors passing. Hoffman was found dead with a needle caught in his arm in his $10,000-per-month West Village apartment two days earlier. Edward Kratt, Vineberg’s lawyer, stated that his client was “an accomplished musician” for years, but has also been a heroin addict throughout a substantial period of time up until the present-day.

Vineberg’s musical career has gone down due to his increase with the heroin habit in the recent years. Vineberg has “fallen into significant depression and neglected his work and family obligations” as a result of the “chronic and recurrent substance abuse” the lawyer added. Justice Edward McLaughlin provided prosecutors time to reply in writing to the new appeal and postponed the case to March 10^th. Vineberg has pleaded not guilty to two counts of drug possession with intent to sell that come with up to 25 years in prison and an additional lesser drug charge.

Vineberg had at minimum a dozen musician friends there to support him. Kevin Tooley stated, “We all have our demons,” who is a musician friend of Vineberg’s for about two decades now. Vineberg has performed with Amy Winehouse and Wyclef Jean. Vineberg, who is not charged with selling to Hoffman, is being detained on a bail of $200,000 bond or $40,000 cash at Rikers Island but anticipates to be sprung this week, Kratt said. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll free 1-800-951-6135.

Source:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/couple-arrested-hoffman-death-show-new-clean-cut-court-article-1.1618290