SLIPKNOT Bassist Gets Informal Probation

Jeff Eckhoff of The Des Moines Register reports that authorities have agreed to drop drug possession charges against SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray in exchange for Gray's acknowledgement that he was on drugs when he was involved in a minor traffic accident (Story#1, Story#2) last summer in Des Moines.

Court records show Gray agreed last week to plead guilty of operating while under the influence of drugs. After signing autographs in the courthouse, he was sentenced to one year on informal probation and ordered to make a $500 contribution to the American Red Cross.

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped charges that Gray was in possession of marijuana, cocaine and syringes when his red 2001 Porsche collided with another car on June 1. No one was seriously injured.

Gray's court files include a handwritten note from Dr. Joe Takamine that describes discussions with Gray that were "very frank and open about his sporadic use of various drugs and of the long periods of abstinence in between."

Takamine's letter to the court concludes that Gray is not addicted to any drug and understands the consequences of drug use.

"In light of his past and present history and because of his great love of music, I feel that Mr. Gray will refrain from future use of mind-altering chemicals," Takamine wrote.

Des Moines police arrested Gray, 31, of Urbandale, about 4 p.m. after his car collided with a car at Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Carpenter Avenue.

A police report at the time said Gray "had impaired balance, slurred and dull speech, and extremely sleepy and dull behavior."