Lawyer confesses to cocaine in Winona courtroom

The lawyer for a convicted killer has admitted possessing cocaine in a Winona County courtroom.

The Winona Daily News reports that 43-year-old lawyer Chuck Ramsay pleaded guilty to third-degree possession of cocaine during a court appearance Wednesday.

The plea deal calls for him to spend, at most, 30 days in jail. His formal sentencing will be Sept. 20.

Ramsay was charged with cocaine possession in January 2009 after exhibiting bizarre behavior at the courthouse while defending Jack Willis Nissalke.

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Ramsay was defending Nissalke on charges of terroristic threats related to the investigation of a homicide in 1985 - he was later convicted of murder.

Nissalke is appealing his conviction and automatic life sentence, citing in part his attorney's cocaine-related arrest.

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Information from: Winona Daily News

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