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Office of the District Attorney P. David Soares Albany Man Found Guilty of DWI ALBANY, NY – District Attorney P. David Soares today announced that JOHN F. DURRANT, III, 42, of Duanesburg, NY, was found guilty after a jury trial of (1) count of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Class “E” Felony, in front of the Honorable Stephen Herrick. DURRANT faces up to 4 years in prison when sentenced on November 5, 2008. “I would like to thank the jury for their service and Assistant District Attorney Mary Tanner-Richter for her diligence in prosecuting this case,” commented DA Soares. “Since toughening our guidelines for plea bargains in DWI cases, more people accused of DWI are exercising their right to trial. We expected this increase in our trial calendar and have taken steps to ensure we are ready for those defendants who choose this option. I want to make sure that anyone thinking of consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel in Albany County knows that we are prepared to take these cases to trial and will continue to send offenders to state prison for driving under the influence.” On December 18, 2007 at approximately 2:10 P.M. in the parking lot of 241 Route 9W in Glenmont, Bethlehem Police received a call about a vehicle that had crashed into a snow bank behind the PetSmart store. Upon arrival, officers observed JOHN DURRANT behind the wheel. DURRANT identified himself as the owner of the vehicle and stated that he drove to the rear of the building to urinate and the accelerator got stuck, causing him to run into the snow bank. DURRANT had physical signs of intoxication, failed four field sobriety tests, tested positive for the presence of alcohol in his system and admitted to drinking the night before. DURRANT refused to take a chemical test to determine his BAC. Assistant District Attorney Mary Tanner-Richter handled the prosecution of this case. ###
For further information contact: Heather Streeter Orth
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