Donegan's Lawyer Says Social Host Charges Dropped due to Lack of Evidence

The lawyer for Jayne Donegan, the North Kingstown mother who was charged with violating the state's social host laws after a party at her house in January, said the charges against her were dropped because of a lack of evidence.

"To set the record straight once again, the facts of this case are that the social host charge was dismissed because there was no evidence that Ms. Donegan procured alcohol or allowed alcohol in her home on the night of her daughter’s 16th birthday party," said William P. Devereaux, Donegan's lawyer. "There was no 'deal' made that the North Kingstown Police would drop the social host charge in exchange for the contribution. This matter was mediated by the court. Ms. Donegan received no preferential treatment. Those are the facts."

Donegan, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, agreed to make a $5,000 donation to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, but that organization refused the donation, saying in a release that it was "not right" for them to accept it under the circumstances.

Amos House on Thursday said it would accept the donation in the name of second chances and Devereaux said Donegan is "happy that the money is going to a very worthy organization such as Amos House and she and her family are glad the case is behind them."