DUI Traffic Stop leads to Homeland Security Investigation

In Kingsport, a Liberian citizen, Garbiel Tutuboy Quewea, was stopped for DUI. During a search of his vehicle an unusal clay type ball wrapped in plant matter comparable to a corn husk was discovered. The man refused to identify himself. Hazmat units were called in after preliminary testing indicated the item may be a biological weapon. The material had been taken to the justice center, which had to be evacuated. The driver was later identified and was wanted by Homeland Security. An officer never knows what he may encounter in a traffic stop!

Read more in the Kingsport Times News at:

http://www.timesnews.net/article/9038888/possible-biological-agent-prompts-evacuation-of-kingsport-justice-center

Synthetic stimulants leave college student in psych ward.

Thanks to Ben Benton and the Chattanooga Times Free Press for their report concerning synthetic drugs in Tennessee. It is an excellent example of journalism concerning a dire issue. Read it at:
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/12/laws-cracking-down-synthetic-drugs-legally-sold/

Vehicular homicide guilty plea in Blount County

The Maryville Daily Times has reported that Jeffrey Knight, 42, has pled guilty for killing Brittany Thomas, 21 and her baby daughter Aiden, 10 months. The homicides happened in February, 2010. The mother and grandmother of the victims stated that the guilty plea was "the tip of the iceburg on the path to justice". She indicates she will work for stricter sentencing for impaired drivers and work to educate young people, because she does not want this to happen to anyone else.
Knight apologized during the hearing, but called his crime an "accident". It is no accident to drive with a .20 Blood alcohol level.
Read the article at:
http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/Alcoa-man-pleads-guilty-in-fatal-crash-id-018019

New case alert: Always wear your seat belt!

A Willamson County driver has learned that the failure to wear a seat belt can result in some time in jail. That's because she was carrying meth. Being her 3rd simple possesion conviction she ended up with a 2 year sentence, suspended after 30 days in the pokey.
The lesson should be clear. Wearing a seat belt can save your life AND keep you out of jail!
Read the CCA affirmation of the seat belt traffic stop in State v Osbourne at:
http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/osbornejonimichelleopn.pdf

Interactive traffic fatality map

At this link, you can see where every traffic fatality occurred in the United States between 2000 and 2009. If you are an agency concerned with where to put your next sobriety checkpoint, this can be of assistance. If you are a parent concerned about where your new driver should practice, this can be of assistance too.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2011/nov/22/us-road-accident-casualties

11 million dollar verdict against drinking driver

A Washington County, Tennessee jury has awarded an 11 million dollar judgement against a driver who killed when driving impaired. The driver, David Wilcox recieved a 5 year sentence for vehicular homicide when he killed David Hudson in 2007. His sentence expires in 2015.

Mandatory blood test law in the news

The new law mandating blood testing without or without consent for multiple offenders and driver's with children under 16 is getting some press.
Court decisions in Tennessee adopted the 4 part test of California v Schmember, a 1966 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court more than a decade ago. The 4 part Schmerber analysis is:
1) There is a clear indication (probable cause) that evidence of intoxication;
2) Exigent circumstances exist to forego the warrant requirement;
3) The test selected is reasonable and competent; and
4) The test is performed in a reasonable manner.
See State v Jordan 7 SW3d 92 1999 Tenn Crim App

Read and watch the coverage on Channell 9 in Chattanooga at: http://www.newschannel9.com/news/new-1006675-repeat-law.html