Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990 TAG: 9005220242
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Blair's attorney, Danny W. Bird Jr., said the verdict would be appealed.
Blair did not attend the hearing, which had been postponed three times. "I don't see how he can offer any evidence if he's not here," General District Judge James Joines said after testimony from Wytheville Police Officer Mark Farris, the only witness. "No way I can do anything but find him guilty."
Joines imposed a $200 fine, six-month license revocation and a 30-day jail sentence suspended on condition that the offense not be repeated. Because it was a first offense, Joines said, he would suspend half the fine as well as the license revocation and refer Blair to the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program.
Farris testified that he and another policeman were sent last June 25 at 1:35 a.m. to Country Club Estates, an area where a rash of burglaries had occurred, to investigate a 1976 BMW reported to be pulling into several driveways.
They passed the car and turned to follow it as it pulled into another driveway, Farris said. He said Blair told them he had been looking for a friend's house.
Farris said Blair had a strong odor of alcohol about him, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, he staggered badly when asked to walk 90 steps and seemed confused. The breath test showed his blood alcohol level to be .13 percent. The legal level for driving is .10 percent
Blair had represented the Lead Mines District on the county Board of Supervisors for two terms, and did not run for a third term last Nov. 8.
The case was prosecuted by Smyth County Commonwealth's Attorney Roy Evans, because Wythe prosecutors had disqualified themselves.
by CNB