Amanda Bynes Arrested; Released; Denies Bong-Throwing Charges
Actress Amanda Bynes claimed in court Friday that the bong she allegedly threw out the window of her 36th-floor apartment was actually a vase, according to The New York Daily News.
"The defendant was observed rolling a marijuana cigarette and throwing a bong out of the 36th floor window .... when there were people below," prosecutor Chikaelo Ibeabuchi said during Bynes' arraignment.
He added that she told the cops "it was just a vase" before freaking out and throwing the bubbler.
Bynes covered her face as she was escorted into court on Friday.
The former child star wore a platinum wig, two pink fingernails on her left hand, gray sweatpants and a black sweatshirt in court. Prior to the proceeding, she shouted at reporters to leave her alone.
The 27-year-old was charged with reckless endangerment, attempted tampering with evidence and marijuana possession.
The next court date was set for Jul 9 in Manhattan for the former star of Nickelodeon's All That.
She was released on her own recognizance after spending a night in jail after her arrest on Thursday.
Bynes is having legal problems on both coasts. After her most recent arrest, prosecutors in Burbank, Calif. could argue she is in violation of probation for driving on a suspended license near Burbank Airport in September 2012.
"One of the conditions of her probation is obeying all laws ... if there is a law violation, there could be a probation violation," Denny Wei, an assistant prosecutor in Burbank said.
He added that prosecutors could argue she violated probation without a conviction for the bong reportedly dropped from her high-rise apartment.
Bynes' latest run-in with police began at approxiamately 7:40 p.m. Thursday when the building manager at The Biltmore on W. 47th St., Rudy Toro, called the cops after he witnessed Bynes smoking marijuana in the building's lobby, prosecutors said.
When officers arrived at Bynes' pad, they found the former teen star in her apartment that smelled like weed.
The foot-long bubbler did not hit anyone below, police said. Police never recovered the bong, which may have landed on a terrace of her building.
Bynes said, "Thank you, sir," to the judge before leaving court and entering a taxi cab.
Bynes even had trouble with the cab driver who drove her home after the hearing. She only had $20 - which her attorney gave her - for a $27 fare.
Andrew Friedman, the attorney assigned to Bynes, said cops went into her apartment for no reason.
"My client completely denies ever illegally throwing anything out of her window," he said.
She was taken to Roosevelt Hospital to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. During the arrest, Bynes called 911 and reported that cops assaulted her, a police source said. Bynes also filed a formal complaint with the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau.
