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Boseman testifies in custody hearing

WILMINGTON -- In December during a court hearing about the custody of a child, Julia Boseman acknowledged using illegal drugs in sworn testimony.

Boseman and her former domestic partner, Melissa Jarrell, were in a dispute over the custody of their son.

When Boseman's lawyer asked her if there were any problems with drugs during the relationship, Boseman said, "yes."

"In probably September of 2003, is when Melissa walked in and I was smoking marijuana.  At that point, I went to counseling to try to get help with that and other problems," said Boseman.

In September of 2003, the Wilmington Democrat and lawyer was serving on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and had not yet been elected to the State Senate.

Later in the hearing she was asked, "since she saw you smoking marijuana, have you used marijuana since that time?"

Boseman said, "no."

While in the State Senate, Boseman has pushed for several anti-drug measures, showing little sympathy for what she calls "the drug dealers who prey on our children."

As for her own drug use, she was asked in court "if it is her testimony that since 2002 or 2003 you have used no illicit drugs - marijuana, cocaine, or any type of illicit drug?"

"That's correct," said Boseman.

Boseman is now running for re-election, facing Republican Michael Lee.

As WECT reported last week, a home she jointly owned with Jarrell is now in foreclosure.

Boseman turned down two requests for an interview. 

In the custody hearing, her lawyer said: "That Senate Seat doesn't mean anything to her, or she wouldn't have sat in this courtroom and taken what she has taken.  She knows the ramifications if some of this comes out.  She's her for [her son].  I admire her and honor her for it, because she's put this child in front of everything else."

Reported by Jim Hanchett

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