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St. Paul, Minn.

Aaron Boogaard makes first court appearance

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The brother of NHL enforcer Derek Boogaard made his first court appearance Monday on charges stemming from his brother's overdose death in May. Aaron Boogaard, 24, did not enter a plea during the brief appearance before Hennepin County District Judge Regina Chu. His mother and sister were present, his attorney said. Boogaard is next due in court Aug. 17.

Boogaard faces one felony drug count and one gross misdemeanor count of interfering with the scene of a death. State guidelines recommend a sentence of 21 months of probation.

Prosecutors say Aaron Boogaard told police he gave his 28-year-old brother an un-prescribed oxycodone pill at the start of a night of partying that resulted in his death from a toxic combination of drugs and alcohol. They say he flushed the rest of his brother's drugs down the toilet before police arrived at the Minneapolis apartment they shared.

Aaron Boogaard remains free on bail but must avoid alcohol and non-prescribed drugs. Neither he nor his attorney, John Lundquist, commented on the charges after the hearing. Lundquist last week said they would address the allegations in court rather than in the media, and that his client is devastated by his brother's death.

Lundquist did explain Monday why immigration officials put a hold on his Canadian client after his arrest last week. He said the visa that lets Boogaard play hockey in the U.S. doesn't extend to the offseason, and that it's a common problem among players.

Derek Boogaard was one of hockey's most feared fighters during his six years with the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers. Aaron Boogaard was drafted by the Wild in 2004 but has not appeared in the NHL. He played for the Laredo Bucks of the CHL last season.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)