Battista Defending Comedian "Tater Salad" Ron White

courtesy Republican News


Oct. 23, 2008

Jeffrey Battista, son of Donald and Patty Battista, Deep Creek Lake, and graduate of Southern High School, is currently serving as a defense attorney for comedian Ron "Tater Salad" White, a member of the "Blue Collar Comedy" group now touring the United States.
White was scheduled Tuesday to be arraigned on the charges at the Indian River County (Fla.) Courthouse, but previously waived his right for the hearing. He was charged in September after three Vero Beach (Fla.) police officers and a drug-sniffing dog met the California-based comedian when he exited his private airplane at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport. Only he and the pilot were aboard.

Police alleged they found White with about one-eighth of an ounce of marijuana and a pipe for smoking marijuana, according to reports.

White contended the marijuana was medicinal, but he didn't have a prescription. Battista has been quoted in national reports about the case. He said that there is discussion now with the prosecutors about a plea deal to avoid going on trial on misdemeanor drug charges.

"He [White] has been straightforward about it," Battista said.

Battista recently filed a not-guilty plea for White on the two drug charges, both of which Battista said are first degree misdemeanor crimes punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The comedian is charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

National reports note that Battista would not say when he might enter a new plea of either guilty or no contest.

"We're trying to come to some compromise" so White doesn't have to return, Battista said. "On one hand, we want them satisfied there is sufficient punishment, yet at the same time we don't' want to single White out.

"We working on it hard," said Battista, adding he had heard his client has done USO tours and volunteer work with the military. "We have gotten a lot of calls of support from the community."

Battista earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting at West Virginia University, and then his juris doctorate in law from the University of Florida.


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