Morrison Faces Drug Charges in Arkansas

Friday, September 17th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tommy Morrison is back on the legal ropes, facing drug charges in Arkansas. Fayetteville police stopped Morrison last night for careless driving. They say a search of his car turned up cocaine, marijuana and a gun. The charges come a week after Morrison walked out of Tulsa traffic court with two years probation for driving under the influence. "If there is substance to these allegations and there has been a new crime committed, that is sufficient basis to file an application to revoke his probation," said Tulsa County assistant district attorney Caleb Raynolds.

Morrison has been convicted of driving under the influence and driving while impaired, but that wasn't enough to stop him from getting a new Oklahoma driver's license three weeks ago. "Oklahoma, like a lot of states, is a little reluctant to penalize people for what some people don't really consider to be a crime, even though it kills people," said Tulsa police sergeant Mike Garner.

Sgt. Garner says the law needs to be beefed up and judges need to be tougher and hold drunk drivers accountable. Morrison was not drunk when he was arrested in Fayetteville. He has faced alcohol-related traffic charges in three states. Morrison's Tulsa attorney, Dan Kramer, said, "I'm sorry to hear about it and I'm disappointed. I hope it's not as bad as it sounds." But the Arkansas charges could result in jail time for Morrison in Tulsa.

Morrison's prosecutor says a warrant could be issued for the fighter as soon as next week, forcing him back into another round in court. Morrison's D-U-I case in Tulsa was the first "driving under the influence" charge he's faced. The others have been misdemeanor "driving while impaired" charges, which are legally less serious. The fighter was suspended from the ring when he was diagnosed with HIV.