SCOTT WEILAND’s Bassist TOMMY BLACK Cleared Of Drug Charges

According to People, Tommy Black, the 47-year-old bassist in Scott Weiland‘s band THE WILDABOUTS, will not face drug possession charges related to the former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer’s death.

Deputy Bloomington Police Chief Mike Hartley told People that they never filed charges after “weighing what it would take to probe the narcotics charges against” Black.

“[The narcotics] were found in a bunk and obviously with several people residing on a bus a number of people could have potentially possessed those narcotics, so at the end of the day we decided not to pursue charges against him,” Hartley told People.

Weiland was found dead on his tour bus on December 3 at the age of 48.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner in Minneapolis, near where the former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER singer passed away, said Weiland died of a toxic combination of drugs and alcohol. The toxicology report released Friday shows Scott overdosed on cocaine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA; also known as “sally” or “the love drug,” and chemically related to the drug ecstasy) and ethanol. The medical examiner also noted a history of cardiovascular disease, asthma and multi-substance dependence.

Both STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER issued statements on his passing, while musicians and fans around the world have also posted tributes.

Weiland had a history of drug abuse. He was arrested in 1995 for attempting to buy crack cocaine before being arrested again two years later for heroin possession. In 1999, the singer was ordered to spend a year in a county-jail recovery center due to a probation violation. He also entered rehab following a DUI arrest in November 2007.

Weiland‘s passing is the second death for THE WILDABOUTS. Back in March, THE WILDABOUTS guitarist Jeremy Brown died as a result of intoxication from multiple drugs. Brown‘s death was ruled accidental.

Below: Tommy Black police booking photo

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