Blondie’s Deborah Harry Speaks Up For Arrested Musician

She and bandmate Chris Stein praise sideman Robert Vineberg in a letter filed with court papers Tuesday as “an asset to New York’s culture.”

Vineberg was arrested as police followed leads after Hoffman’s Feb. 2 death from a mix of heroin, cocaine and other drugs. Vineberg has pleaded not guilty to possessing heroin with the intent to sell. He wasn’t charged with selling it or playing any role in Hoffman’s death.

According to a police report, Vineberg said he was friendly with Hoffman and had occasionally sold him heroin but hadn’t seen him since October.

Hoffman’s publicist didn’t immediately respond to an email.