[mobglob-discuss] Campbell's 'hot seat' just got hotter!

[Graeme Bacque]

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Feb. 11, 2003. 06:41 AM The Toronto Star

More charges laid against B.C. premier
New charges related to drunk driving incident in Maui

VANCOUVER (CP) — Maui prosecutors have laid three additional charges against
B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell in relation to a drunk driving incident on the
Hawaiian island, BCTV reported Monday.

The new charges are considered traffic violations and involve penalties of
fines only.

Campbell was pulled over on Jan. 10 after police noticed he was driving
erratically. He performed a number of roadside sobriety tests. He blew .149
in a breathalizer test, nearly double the illegal limit.

He was arrested and charged with drunk driving.

The new charges include speeding, failing to drive on the right side of a
roadway and disregarding traffic lane markings.

"Given the facts that were brought out in the investigation, it was
determined that Mr. Campbell was operating over the speed limit," Deputy
prosecutor Mark Simonds told BCTV on Global. "We make an informed decision
as to what charges are appropriate and what can be proven in court should a
case go to trial."

As for the drunk driving charge, Campbell faces a penalty of either $1,000
US fine or five nights in jail. He has a March 25 court date in Maui but it
is still not known whether Campbell will appear or just his lawyer.

Campbell did not dispute the charges when they hit the media.

The opposition and some members of the public called for the premier's
resignation, but Campbell's party has rallied around him calling the move
stupid but something that won't hurt his ability to do his job.

Campbell, 55, tearfully apologized to British Columbians for what he said
was his foolish decision to drive. But he refused to resign, saying he will
re-earn the trust of voters.

He who described himself as a social drinker and said he will not touch
alcohol again.

Campbell said he had been at some friends' home where he consumed three
martinis he mixed himself and two or three glasses of wine before deciding
to drive home.

The Maui police report said Campbell's rented sports utility vehicle was
pulled over after 1 a.m. on Jan. 10 because a highway patrol officer noticed
erratic driving.

His vehicle was travelling more than 110 kilometres per hour in a 70 km/h
zone. The vehicle swerved into the southbound lane, then jerked back into
the northbound lane and into the roadside bicycle lane.

Campbell told the officer who stopped his vehicle he was speeding because he
was tired and wanted to get home. The officer said he noticed Campbell had
bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and his breath smelled of alcohol.

He was handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle after he failed a roadside
sobriety test, which included failing to keep his balance, flubbing a
heel-to-toe walk and stepping off a straight line, the police report said.

Campbell's drunk driving charge dominated media coverage after his arrest.

The premier said he wants to get on with the job he and his government were
elected to do in May 2001, which is rebuilding B.C.'s economy.


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