Robert Vineberg, the celebrated jazz musician who was arrested in the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death – has been granted bail. Vineberg was not arrested in connection with the passing of Seymour Hoffman, but charged with possession with intent to sell.

Philip Seymour Hoffman deathPhilip Seymour Hoffman's death has caused serious repercussions for many involved in his life

His attorney, Edward Kratt, pleaded for the judge to lower the bail, which was set at a $200k bond or $40k, calling Vineberg an “accomplished musician” who has “been in the business since the late 1980s and has been associated with some really great musicians.” He said he's a “heroin addict and has been a consistent user of heroin for a long period of time.”

Justice Edward McLaughlin. However, questioned that the drugs found were simply for his consumption. “If he has an incessant, uncontrolled heroin addiction, then lying around with 300 bags of heroin, he would be dead,” McLaughlin said. “If he has no job that produces income and has $1,500 or $1,300 in cash, you draw your own conclusions.”

Friends of Vineberg have offered their support. “He’s amazing. He’s one of the most well-rounded musicians I’ve known in a while,” Duke Guillaume – a fellow musician - said. Another friend, who declined to give his name, said he’s known Vineberg for 30 years and called him “very generous, very honest” and a musical “genius.”

Michael Holman, a friend of Vineberg who attended the hearing, described Vineberg as "very talented, very generous, very smart." "We are shocked and believe that he is being railroaded for political reasons," Holman said outside court.

"It's convenient that they find someone to blame for Philip Seymour Hoffman's overdose and death but I just don't believe that Robert had anything to do with it, and the fact that he might have been friends with him is no surprise. Robert was friends with a lot of people, a lot of important people, a lot of important artists."