MOM, 82, GUILTY OF TRYING TO GET DRUGS TO INMATE SON

ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. ­ An 82-year-old Lake Charles woman has been
ordered to serve one year in state prison for trying to smuggle drugs
to her son at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

Mildred Giovanni pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of possession of
contraband in a penal institution. Authorities said she will serve the
sentence at a detention center for women in Rayville.

Ms. Giovanni was arrested in May after prison guards accused her of
trying to smuggle marijuana and cocaine during a visit to her son,
convicted murderer Edward L. Giovanni Jr.

He is serving three consecutive life sentences for the 1978 slayings
of a Carlyss, La., family.

Warden Burl Cain said 39 grams of marijuana and seven grams of cocaine
were discovered during a search of Ms. Giovanni at Angola's visitors
processing center.

Ms. Giovanni skipped a Sept. 11 trial date and was arrested about
three weeks ago, authorities said.