Officer Testifies In Constantine DUI Case
Constantine's DUI trial begins Wednesday
POSTED: Tuesday, June 22, 2004
UPDATED: 4:51 pm EDT June 22,
2004
The Maitland police officer who arrested Florida Sen. Lee Constantine in May for allegedly driving drunk said the senator asked to speak to his police chief after taking a field sobriety test, according to Local 6 News.
Officer Monte Ertel took the stand Tuesday during a hearing in Orange County court concerning the Florida lawmaker's charge of drunken driving.Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, was arrested early May 9 after Ertel spotted Constantine drifting in and out of lanes and smelled alcohol on his breath, Local 6 News reported.Tuesday, Ertel said the lawmaker weaved in and out of a road lane three times, according to the report. Ertel also said that Constantine cut off a police patrol car, forcing the officer to slam on his breaks."As I talked to him, I smelled the strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from his breath, Ertel said. "His eyes were red and glassy and he had a difficult time talking..."In a four-minute videotaped session at Orange County's DUI test center, a visibly despondent Constantine asked 10 times to speak with Sheriff Kevin Beary. 
"I would like to talk to Kevin Beary first," Constantine said on the tape when told his license would be suspended for a year if he refused to submit to the test. "I don't believe that I was impaired and I'd like to talk to Kevin Beary."During Tuesday's hearing, Ertel also said Constantine also asked to speak to the Maitland police chief.Tuesday, Constantine watched a portion of his videotaped field sobriety test.Constantine's DUI trial begins Wednesday.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Copyright 2005 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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State Senator Arrested For DUI Wanted To Speak With SheriffOfficer Monte Ertel took the stand Tuesday during a hearing in Orange County court concerning the Florida lawmaker's charge of drunken driving.Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, was arrested early May 9 after Ertel spotted Constantine drifting in and out of lanes and smelled alcohol on his breath, Local 6 News reported.Tuesday, Ertel said the lawmaker weaved in and out of a road lane three times, according to the report. Ertel also said that Constantine cut off a police patrol car, forcing the officer to slam on his breaks."As I talked to him, I smelled the strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from his breath, Ertel said. "His eyes were red and glassy and he had a difficult time talking..."In a four-minute videotaped session at Orange County's DUI test center, a visibly despondent Constantine asked 10 times to speak with Sheriff Kevin Beary. "I would like to talk to Kevin Beary first," Constantine said on the tape when told his license would be suspended for a year if he refused to submit to the test. "I don't believe that I was impaired and I'd like to talk to Kevin Beary."During Tuesday's hearing, Ertel also said Constantine also asked to speak to the Maitland police chief.Tuesday, Constantine watched a portion of his videotaped field sobriety test.Constantine's DUI trial begins Wednesday.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.Copyright 2005 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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