Saturday, October 30, 2010
Boating under the influence homicde
ADA Beth Hall successfully prosecuted a boating under the influence vehicular homicide trial this week in Paris, Tennessee. Read about it at:
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
DRE Recognized as Expert Witness
In Sequatchie County Assistant District Attorney David Shinn succeeded in a jury trial in Circuit Court in qualifying Drug Recognition Expert Paul Howard as an expert witness. Once Deputy Howard testified about the results of the HGN and other testimony about drug impaired eye movements, the defendant changed his plea to guilty as charged.
Prescription drug DUI issue in the USA Today
The USA Today includes an article which focuses on a case from Florida. The problem of proving impairment, when the impairment comes from prescription drugs is the issue. Read about it at:
Sunday, October 17, 2010
In the news 2
The Tennessean ran a nice article today about drugged driving issues. I gave a hint as to where we are going in the next Legislative session in which the DA's Conference is going to push to end the privilege or refusal to test for multiple DUI offenders.
Read it at:
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
In the News
Nancy Ammons at WSMV tv has been running a series of stories about the ten year gap period in our DUI law. The first story Friday was about a vehicular homicide guy, who got out of prison after 13 years and was then a first offender. The second was about a DUI 10th offender, who was only a 2nd due to a 10 year gap in prior convictions. The third was an interview with me. Read about it at:
http://www.wsmv.com/news/25385218/detail.html
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ignition Interlock Providers
There are now 31 certified ignition interlock providers in Tennessee. To see a map of locations and for driving directions, go to:
http://www.tn.gov/safety/FinancialResponsibility/IIDInstall.htm
http://www.tn.gov/safety/FinancialResponsibility/IIDInstall.htm
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
World reknown burn specialist killed by impaired driver
In Dallas, Texas, Dr. Gary Pardue was riding his motorcycle at 7:30 a.m., wearing his helmet and protective gear. Dr. Pardue was a burn specialist at U.T. Southwestern. He was struck by a car driven by a 24 year old, who has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.
After the 9/11 attacks Dr. Pardue arranged a much needed delivery of skin replacement to New York City to treat those burned in the attack. In 1998 Dr. Pardue was recognized as Physician of the Year.
His journey ended abruptly, but his contributions to society will continue due to his great work with burn victims and as a leader and educator.
15 year sentence for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
An Elizabethton man pled guilty and recieved a 15 year sentence, which is the minimum for aggravated vehicular homicide. James Allen Griffey had two prior DUI convictions.
In the case he weaved onto the right shoulder, overcorrected, crossed the centerline and slammed into a motorcycle driven by James Gano of Ohio.
Griffey had a .06 BAC and had four drugs in his system: diazepam, nordiazepam, meprobromate and carisoprodol.
Read the complete article in the Johnson City Press at:
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?ID=81774
In the case he weaved onto the right shoulder, overcorrected, crossed the centerline and slammed into a motorcycle driven by James Gano of Ohio.
Griffey had a .06 BAC and had four drugs in his system: diazepam, nordiazepam, meprobromate and carisoprodol.
Read the complete article in the Johnson City Press at:
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?ID=81774
Monday, October 4, 2010
Newsletter Available
The 32nd issue of the DUI NEWS is available on our website at: http://dui.tndagc.org
It includes a discussion concerning the 1966 Schmerber desicion by The U.S.Supreme Court, which permitted mandatory blood draws in DUI cases; new case law, information about inhalant abuse and Court decisions including plea agreements in vehicular homicide and assault cases.
Hope it is helpful.
It includes a discussion concerning the 1966 Schmerber desicion by The U.S.Supreme Court, which permitted mandatory blood draws in DUI cases; new case law, information about inhalant abuse and Court decisions including plea agreements in vehicular homicide and assault cases.
Hope it is helpful.
Friday, October 1, 2010
New DUI Decisions from the Court of Criminal Appeals
State v Berry http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/tcca/PDF/103/BerryRickyNOPN.pdf
Berry passed a police cruiser going the opposite direction. When he did he ran off the roadway and hit the curb. The officer turned around, pulled him over and found an impaired driver. Berry went to trial and was convicted for his 3rd DUI. The Court gave him 200 days in the slammer to think it over.
State v Patterson
http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/TCCA/PDF/103/State%20vs%20Larry%20J%20Patterson.pdf
Patterson was driving so badly that a fireman pulled him over. The fireman flashed his lights and honked his horn until he stopped. The fireman, also an E.M.T., discovered Patterson had tipped back a few too many. When Patterson realized the fireman was not an officer, he peeled out and nearly hit him. When officers found him later Patterson locked himself in his car. He's locked in the jail now.
Berry passed a police cruiser going the opposite direction. When he did he ran off the roadway and hit the curb. The officer turned around, pulled him over and found an impaired driver. Berry went to trial and was convicted for his 3rd DUI. The Court gave him 200 days in the slammer to think it over.
State v Patterson
http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/TCCA/PDF/103/State%20vs%20Larry%20J%20Patterson.pdf
Patterson was driving so badly that a fireman pulled him over. The fireman flashed his lights and honked his horn until he stopped. The fireman, also an E.M.T., discovered Patterson had tipped back a few too many. When Patterson realized the fireman was not an officer, he peeled out and nearly hit him. When officers found him later Patterson locked himself in his car. He's locked in the jail now.
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