The News Telegram has reported that a man that faced his alleged 15th DUI conviction, with a drunk driving record dating back to the 1970s, was sent to prison for five years for the DUI and an additional 4 ½ more years for other driving offenses.
A Worcester jury found K.N., 65, guilty of DUI, driving after suspension of license and driving negligently.
Presiding Superior Court Judge David Ricciardone told K.N., who presented in court with the aid of a cane, that he had squandered away his life.
After the sentencing District Attorney Joseph D. Early said, "When you convict someone for the 15th time for the same offense, it's absolutely mind-boggling that they could still get behind the wheel of a car. That shows the constant battle we have to keep problem drinkers off the road."
Beginning in the 1970s K.N. had a record of motor vehicle violations including several DUIs. He had a Rhode Island driver's license, however, Massachusetts records show that he had his license suspended since 1973.
The charges were due to an early morning traffic stop on Route 146 in Millbury on September 14.
According to court records, at the time he was pulled over K.N. gave a trooper different answers as to the status of his driver's license. He also claimed to have only consumed a couple of beers, though the trooper noted that K.N.'s eyes were bloodshot, he slurred his words and his vehicle smelled of alcohol.
After K.N. then proceeded to fail the field sobriety tests he was arrested for DUI.
Prosecutors claimed that K.N. had been charged for drunk driving up to 15 times.
The two sentences, according to Judge Ricciardone, will be run consecutively. K.N. had also violated the conditions of his parole. He pleaded guilty had was given another two-year concurrent sentence.
Assistant District Attorney John H. Melander Jr., told K.N., "It is a shame you couldn't overcome your obvious alcohol problem."
Attorney Gregory V. St. Cyr represented K.N. in the case. St. Cyr had objected to using the Massachusetts records against his client. He argued that K.N., a decorated Vietnam war veteran, had a serious heart condition making the ten year sentence a death sentence.
Promising to file an immediate appeal, St. Cyr said, "His family is quite certain even five years is a death sentence."
St. Cyr argued that K.N. only had one prior DUI conviction. However the Massachusetts RMV records show that there are several DUI offenses, followed by his license suspensions and revocation.
State Department of Transportation spokesman Michael Verseckes said that K.N. had a long history of "problematic behavior" and "may not legally drive in Massachusetts."
According to reporters, it was later discovered that K.N.'s license was also suspended in Rhode Island – since 1985.
Troubled by a charge of DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI? Contact a DUI attorney to discuss all of the aspects of your case: court appearances, fines, driving privileges and sentencing.