OUI-LIQUOR: NOT GUILTY
NEGLIGENTY OPERATION: NOT GUILTY
LEAVING SCENE PROPERTY DAMAGE: NOT GUILTY

Easton Police responded to a hit-and-run accident. Stonehill students were traveling in a vehicle and attempted to make a left-hand turn into the campus entrance. Defendant’s vehicle attempted to pass the Stonehill vehicle on the left, as it was making the left-hand turn. Defendant’s vehicle smashed into the driver’s side of the Stonehill vehicle then fled the scene pulling into a parking lot approximately one-half mile down the road. The Stonehill student called 911 and gave the police the Defendant’s registration. An SUV traveling behind the Stonehill vehicle followed the Defendant’s vehicle to the parking lot. Upon arrival, officers observed two males attempting to change the front passenger side tire of the vehicle, which had been extensively damaged from a collision. Defendant admitted to police that he was the operator and that he had gotten into and accident and was changing the tire. After three requests, Defendant was able to produce his license and registration. Defendant admitted to having two beers at the Union Villa Bar. Defendant then changed is story by saying that he had been at Owen O’Leary’s and had two beers and a shot of Vodka. Defendant stated that he had been drinking “Bud” and then stated that he had been drinking “draft.” Officers detected an odor of alcohol coming from the Defendant’s breath. Officers observed that his eyes were glassy and bloodshot and that his speech was thick and slurred. After three attempts, Defendant failed the alphabet test. After two attempts, Defendant failed the one-legged stand. Lastly, Defendant failed the nine step walk-and-turn. An identified witness informed police that he observed one of the male’s throw a cooler over the wooden fence. A search of the backseat found ice and two cold Michelob beers. During the booking process, Defendant became argumentative and confrontational, which was captured on videotape. Attorney Gerald J. Noonan acquitted his client on all charges by arguing that the Commonwealth failed to sustain its burden of proof on an essential element of the crime; that the Defendant (and no one else) was the “operator” of the motor vehicle.

Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets Not Guilty verdicts on all charges, including OUI-Liquor, against Navy man.