People talk 01/10/03

Ross won't be made to appear in court

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Diana Ross won't be required to appear in Tucson City Court next week in her drunken-driving case.

The singer, represented by Phoenix attorney Greg Davis, filed a written "notice of appearance" with Tucson City Court last week in which she pleaded innocent to three charges.

Because Ross filed the notice, neither she nor her lawyer is required to appear in court Monday for her arraignment.

The 58-year-old received misdemeanor citations early Dec. 30 for driving under the influence and extreme DUI after police received a report of someone driving the wrong way down an east Tucson street.

A breath test showed the pop diva with a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, police said.

Another hearing is scheduled for next week in which Ross' lawyers will try to block the release of a police videotape that shows her field sobriety tests.

'Bueller' actor pleads innocent to charges

LOS ANGELES -- Actor Jeffrey Jones, who played the principal in the 1986 comedy "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," pleaded innocent to charges he possessed child pornography and hired a 14-year-old boy to pose for sexually explicit photos.

Jones, who entered his plea Wednesday, is expected to be back in court on Feb. 3, when a preliminary hearing date is to be set.

Jones remains free on $20,000 bond. If convicted, he would face up to three years in prison and would have to register as a sex offender.

-- From wire reports