Testimony of Nine to Suppress in Former Candidate’s DUI

Former mayoral candidate, Scott Walker, is counting against the skills of Ocean Springs, Mississippi City Attorney John Edwards, as Edwards has filed a motion to suppress the testimony of no less than nine defense witnesses in his DUI case, as reported by Gulf Live.

Justice Judge Cecil Byrd at Justice Court in Moss Point is set to hear the case on September 30.

In April 2009, Walker, 31, was arrested and charged by Ocean Springs Police for driving under the influence. In June of the same year, Mayor Connie Moran, a Democrat, won the election for her second term as mayor, with a slight 96 vote lead over Walker, a Republican.

Keith and Adam Miller, brothers from Ocean Springs, are the attorneys representing Walker. They had served separate subpoenas during an August Board of Alderman meeting to Moran, Alderman at large Troy Ross, and Aldermen Matt McDonnell, Chic Cody, Greg Denyer, Jerry Dalgo and James Hagen. The remaining subpoenas were served to Police Chief Lionel Cothren and Deputy Chief Mark Dunston.

Edwards wrote in his motion that, "None of the...city representatives have any relation to the issue at hand as they were not witnesses to the events as they occurred. They cannot attest to whether or not the accused was driving under the influence. None were present at the scene or in the presence of the accused at any relevant time."

Walker's attorney, Keith Miller, is not in agreement with the change and responded by saying, "All of the people subpoenaed will have relevant testimony. Just because you're not an eyewitness to something doesn't mean you don't have relevant testimony."

A police officer reported discovering Walker asleep and under the influence inside of his Chevy Tahoe on Halstead Road at Linda Circle at 1:30 a.m. on April 11.  The officer's report stated that he had to knock on the window several times to wake him and, "(I) had to help him walk to the back of a vehicle because he appeared very unbalanced."

The officer also noted and reported that Walker's car had some minor damage. A nearby mailbox was also noted for damage and it was presumed that Walker had stuck it with his car. Walker was sleeping in his vehicle - while the engine was still running - and the car had come to a stop.

Court records showing the officers subpoenaed in the case -  all involved in Walker's arrest - include Officer Neal Allen, Officer Stephanie Rameriz, Lt. Bruce Spearnock, Reserve Officer Len Nobles, Detective Wesley Hall and Officer Jacob Winborne.

Beyond these six officers, court records also show that Margaret Baker and Leigh Coleman will also to be called as witnesses for the defense.  Baker has been with the Sun Herald for many years and Coleman was a correspondent with the Ocean Springs Gazette.

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