Watson fails in plea agreement on marijuana charge

Rhode Island Rep. Robert Watson and prosecutors have failed to reach a plea agreement on charges in Connecticut of marijuana possession and driving under the influence. The Providence Journal reports that the former Republican leader of the state House met in a final conference on Tuesday before trial is set to begin in Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven.

 Police in East Haven, Conn., charged Watson with driving under the influence, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia after stopping him at a sobriety checkpoint in April 2011. He pleaded not guilty. Watson denied smoking marijuana, saying he had it on hand in case of a medical condition.