BY NANCY A. YOUSSEF
Detroit Free Press
After two days of playing hooky – and two arrest warrants – Eminem’s ex-wife was ordered to wear an electronic tether when she finally appeared Thursday in Macomb County (Mich.) Circuit Court to face charges she ignored a court date and she had drugs during a June traffic stop.
Kim Mathers’ attorney pleaded with Judge Edward Servitto to forgive her for failing to appear Tuesday, saying she was ill. The judge had little interest in her explanation and, instead, ordered that she be placed on the tether.
Mathers, 28, will be allowed to go to only court and counseling, the judge ordered. The court will receive a report about her movements.
Mathers appeared with her attorney, Michael Smith of Sterling Heights.
“Mr. Smith has convinced me to not put you in jail,” Servitto told Mathers.
“I understand,” she replied, her only comments during the five-minute hearing.
She was supposed to be arraigned Monday, but when she did not show up, the court gave her until noon Tuesday. When she again did not come to court, the judge issued a bench warrant charging her with failure to appear.
On Thursday, Servitto dismissed the bench warrant.
If convicted of possession of fewer than 25 grams of cocaine, Mathers could face a maximum 4-year prison term and a $25,000 fine.
Mathers is the ex-wife of Marshall Mathers, also known as superstar rapper Eminem.
Kim Mathers also faces misdemeanor charges in Warren of maintaining a drug house.
Police said they decided to issue a warrant this week, and were talking to Smith to arrange when Mathers could turn herself in.
Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Dave Portuesi told the court that his office authorized that warrant and that Mathers will be arraigned on that charge by Friday.
But Warren officials said they are still working with her attorney to determine when she will turn herself in.
Maintaining a drug house carries a maximum 2-year sentence upon conviction.