Some might remember that back in August, State Rep. Dean Davis (R-Broken Arrow) was arrested for driving under the influence. He was booked into jail for DUI, speeding, and 'obstructing or interfering with police officer'.
While in jail, Rep. Davis made several phone calls to elected officials, including talking to two fellow House freshmen and leaving a voicemail for Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado. He asked his legislator friends to call the sheriff or city police chief to "help him out". He told Rep. T.J. Marti (R-Tulsa) that "This is not going to help Broken Arrow at all because they just made an enemy, and that’s not good at all."
Now, with his political career in peril, Davis is pleading 'not guilty'. From SoonerPolitics.org:
Rep. Dean Davis Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Felony DUI
If Davis is found guilty of a felony, he is immediately expelled from office, by constitutional mandate.
Early last August, freshman lawmaker, Dean Davis of Broken Arrow, was arrested on a dark stretch of road in deep south Broken Arrow. The event was not recorded and Davis refused to provide samples for alcohol toxicity tests.
It's not his first DUI charges, so, DA Steve Kunzweiler filed felony charges, given his previous guilty plea, years ago.
The only solid evidence is the many phone calls Davis made in the few hours after his detainment. Other than that, it'll be a matter of who is more believable, to the district court. Next court date in Oct. 28th.
The OSCN.net journal records this latest entry:
JUDGE DAVID GUTEN: DEFENDANT PRESENT, NOT IN CUSTODY, AND REPRESENTED BY BRUCE EDGE. ARRAIGNMENT HELD. DEFENDANT WAIVES READING OF THE INFORMATION AND FURTHER TIME TO PLEAD. DEFENDANT ENTERS A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY. PRELIMINARY HEARING SET FOR 10-28-19 @ 9 AM IN 344. BOND TO REMAIN. DEFENDANT RECOGNIZED BACK.
As SoonerPolitics pointed out, the State Constitution pointedly disqualifies felons from holding a legislative seat. If Davis is convicted of a felony, he will be removed from office.
from MuskogeePolitico.com
