Springs DA has a few beerz on the job

[scottycards]

Cracks me up. Video of him "guzzling" beers on the job, and driving a county car. Nice, dude. :cool: :drunk: :drunk: :drunk:
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COLORADO SPRINGS ? Fourth Judicial District Attorney John Newsome has been caught on tape drinking and then driving his county-owned vehicle, KOAA reported Tuesday.

The television station had hidden cameras following Newsome on a "recent afternoon" as he drank three 20-ounce beers and a 10-ounce beer during "work hours" over the course of less than two hours at a downtown Colorado Springs bar.

Newsome was then shown heading back to his office. An hour later, he drove his El Paso County owned SUV out of a county parking garage to another bar, according to KOAA.

There, Newsome was reportedly seen drinking four more pints and then driving away.

In all, Newsome was shown drinking about 134 ounces of beer in five hours.

"Over a period of weeks, News First employees watched him engage in similar behavior three other times," the station reported.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/07/springs-da-filmed-drinking-driving-during-office-h/

[JKTODD]

He said he was sorry.......Poor guy..:(

:sarcasm:

[Loki]

http://static.flickr.com/75/196844531_f74a72a6f0.jpg

:flipoff2: :beer: :flipoff2:

[Sound_Man]

Chugging beers, driving a county car afterwards and doing it with a female assistant DA during work hours. This is the lead prosecutor for DUI cases in El Paso county. :tisk: :thumbsdown:

[Jeff Mason]

"I disagree with the story," Newsome said Tuesday night. "I don't drink to impairment and drive."


Wow.

[Sound_Man]

I liked the part where he said he would sue the tv station if they ran the story... The tv station should have called the police to prevent a drunk from being on the streets. If he would have hit someone and killed them I would imagine the tv crew would have been partially responsible for not reporting it.

[springsman]

BTW...How DO they know he wasn't drinking O'doul's?

[scottycards]

This is the lead prosecutor for DUI cases in El Paso county.

Do as he says, not as he does. This is the kind of hypocricy that serves to erode our faith in govt.

MADD takes (another) credibility hit in my book over this one as well. They won't throw the guy under the bus, even though he drove impaired, because he prosecutes drunks.

What's with elected officials/high profile people down in the springs these days? Is the water in the county building contaminated or something? There seem to be some pretty good stories coming out of there, lately.........

[JKTODD]

I liked the part where he said he would sue the tv station if they ran the story... The tv station should have called the police to prevent a drunk from being on the streets. If he would have hit someone and killed them I would imagine the tv crew would have been partially responsible for not reporting it.

Valid point. Wonder what their responsibility is in this. Anyone know?:shrug:

[DaJudge]

Valid point. Wonder what their responsibility is in this. Anyone know?:shrug:
Absolutely invalid poit. NO responsibility. He's an adult and all reasponsibility rests on him if he chooses to drink and drive.

[Sound_Man]

Absolutely invalid poit. NO responsibility. He's an adult and all reasponsibility rests on him if he chooses to drink and drive.
So if I witness a crime being committed and say nothing or fail to report it I have no liability in said crime? :confused:

[Yota]

Dude not good. Not good at all.

[MountainJeep]

I can totally see having one, maybe two beers every once in a while during work hours. I have done it on many occassions, specifically while entertaining clients, or being taken out for lunch by a business associate.

But then again I wasn't emplyed by the Government with the specific charge to prosecute dunk driving...

oh and 134 ounces, 11 12 oz beers, in 5 hours during business hours is a little much.

http://media.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/content/img/photos/2008/05/07/k0h2jh-newsome_t600.jpg

:beer: :thumbsdown:

[ZooMad75]

I watched the story air the other night and the follow up yesterday. The DA flat got busted and all he can say is he's sorry,but doesn't drink to imparement. BS. I'm a big guy myself and I can't metabolize alcohol that much beer in 5 hours, I'd still be over the limit for sure.

I'd give it another couple of days for the story to pick up steam. People will start asking for his head on a plate. What baffles me is a response KOAA got by email that they showed last night. It basically said why are you picking on a hard working DA thats working to protect your city? Huh? Did that person not watch the whole story or was it the DA that sent the email to defend himself? I couldn't belive that one..

[DaJudge]

So if I witness a crime being committed and say nothing or fail to report it I have no liability in said crime? :confused:
Correct.

[OlBlueCJ7]

In similar news...

http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080506/NEWS/853732663

[Sound_Man]

Correct.

Yup.. (NCJ 102237) As long as you are not a mandated reporter. Then things change a little.

[Sound_Man]

In similar news...

http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080506/NEWS/853732663

WOW! He was not even over the legal limit..

Michael Rourke, Weld assistant district attorney, has been suspended without pay for 30 days following a driving while ability impaired charge. Rourke blood alcohol level was 0.07, just below the Colorado legal limit of 0.08, according to a press release issued by the Weld District Attorney.

And he is getting canned.

[OlBlueCJ7]

WOW! He was not even over the legal limit..

Depends which limit you're referring to - technically he was over for DWAI, but not for DUI.

And he is getting canned.

I don't get this part - suspended without pay for a month, THEN canned? Why not just can him immediately? :shrug:

[Sound_Man]

Depends which limit you're referring to - technically he was over for DWAI, but not for DUI.


I don't get this part - suspended without pay for a month, THEN canned? Why not just can him immediately? :shrug:

I guess they don't want to pay him for the time it will take to prosecute him.

.05 BAC is pretty damn low. Like a single beer for me, maybe even less. Thats a firing in Weld county, well, .07 is.

[Sound_Man]

I have a hard time with this guys actions and the lack of reaction in the DA's office.

[MonkeyBomb]

What lack of reaction from the DA's office? He is the DA. The head cheese The man. It sounds like it was his people who dimed him out. I'm just curious what you expect his employee's to do?

I am in no way defending his actions. If one of his Deputy DA's say's anything about it he is cutting his own throat....................

[zoriloco]

Beatch got busted. Serves him right!

[TwoDogs]

He's THE DA. It's like a cop getting a DUI. A cop would get his ass fired. Altough I do know of a cop with 2 DUI's. He's still on the job.

Personally. I believe a cop or a DA should be held to the higher ethical standard. A DUI is a failure in judgement. A cops judgement is one of their most valuable asset.

Sorry for preaching. It's MY personal opinion.

[Sound_Man]

What lack of reaction from the DA's office? He is the DA. The head cheese The man. It sounds like it was his people who dimed him out. I'm just curious what you expect his employee's to do?

I am in no way defending his actions. If one of his Deputy DA's say's anything about it he is cutting his own throat....................

Everyone has a boss. His people should have gone to his boss about this and not the press. Now he is being tried and convicted in the news. Don't think for a minute that I am defending him but his boss (whoever that is) should sideline the guy. From what I have been reading he is an elected official and the people that elected him will have to take action. I imagine that it is going to get pretty ugly before it is all over.

Beatch got busted. Serves him right!

He isn't "busted" just dime'd out on TV so far.

[DaleD]

All this does is support my opinion of the legal system..

and to the above person who wrote. Do as I say,Not what I do.... How true is that...........

[potter]

This is the lead prosecutor for DUI cases in El Paso county. :tisk: :thumbsdown:

He should be fired. No doubt about it. :tisk:

[Oscar]

Problem is that he is an elected official can't be fired. Also this is an election year so recall would ake to long. Plus I thought I heard he was running unopposed.

[ZukGuy]

The State DA won't investigate unless directed to do so by the governor.

Go figure!

[Dirt Surfer]

Absolutely UN #%$^$% BELIEVABLE.

The Police Protective Association has come out in support for the DA. This represents the rank and file of the police force.

"He has taken responsibility for his actions (by saying sorry) and is doing a great job. (Prosecuting drunk drivers!)

I'm speechless.

[ZooMad75]

That is friggen BS! If I did the same thing, drove my car and got caught I'd be hung up for the dui. He does it and the Police say he's taking responsibility by saying he's sorry? How about the next person that get nabbed for a dui in El paso county tell the cop "I'm sorry" and the cop escort them home.

WOW. I hope this inspires somebody else to run against this clown in the next election.

[mtntj]

Do as he says, not as he does. This is the kind of hypocricy that serves to erode our faith in govt.

MADD takes (another) credibility hit in my book over this one as well. They won't throw the guy under the bus, even though he drove impaired, because he prosecutes drunks.

What's with elected officials/high profile people down in the springs these days? Is the water in the county building contaminated or something? There seem to be some pretty good stories coming out of there, lately.........

It's not just the Springs. Sadly it's all over, Fremont county has it's share as well.

[MonkeyBomb]

They funny (ok not funny) thing is he wasn't caught. There is no way to prove he was drunk so he cannot be charged. Police cant charge you from a video tape (for dui). If they wanted him charged police would have had to at least contact him while driving. The crack news team didn't bother to call it in. I'm guesssing it wasn't their goal. I'm betting sweeps was the goal and to get someone to run against him. I am very disappointed in his initial reaction and his "apology"

[XJOEX]

Wait...wait...you're telling me that drinking on the job is a bad thing? :flipoff2: :beer: There goes the oilfield.

[mtntj]

Wait...wait...you're telling me that drinking on the job is a bad thing? :flipoff2: :beer: There goes the oilfield.

No it's OK.....say your "sorry".....now back to work:flipoff2: :beer: :beer: :beer:

[Dirt Surfer]

They funny (ok not funny) thing is he wasn't caught. There is no way to prove he was drunk so he cannot be charged. Police cant charge you from a video tape (for dui). If they wanted him charged police would have had to at least contact him while driving. The crack news team didn't bother to call it in. I'm guesssing it wasn't their goal. I'm betting sweeps was the goal and to get someone to run against him. I am very disappointed in his initial reaction and his "apology"

What the heck does that have to do with anything? I don't care if he was not leagly charged, you are telling me he was under the limit after drinking 11 beers in 5 hours. A twelve pack and I'm pretty plastered. My bet is he was at least twice the legal limit. What does the news team's motivations have to do with a DA making the decision to drink and drive on the public's dime?

So the DA drinks some alcohol on the job. No big deal. A drink, or two over lunch is exactly what the news likes to blow out of proportion. 134 ounces in 5 hours of taxpayers time in taxpayers property is not minor. That's criminal. And I don't care what is said about technicalities. It would be one thing if he was just some slimey politician, but he is the DA for Christ's sake. and the police back him??? WTF

[MonkeyBomb]

What the heck does that have to do with anything? I don't care if he was not leagly charged, you are telling me he was under the limit after drinking 11 beers in 5 hours. A twelve pack and I'm pretty plastered. My bet is he was at least twice the legal limit. What does the news team's motivations have to do with a DA making the decision to drink and drive on the public's dime?

So the DA drinks some alcohol on the job. No big deal. A drink, or two over lunch is exactly what the news likes to blow out of proportion. 134 ounces in 5 hours of taxpayers time in taxpayers property is not minor. That's criminal. And I don't care what is said about technicalities. It would be one thing if he was just some slimey politician, but he is the DA for Christ's sake. and the police back him??? WTF

I think you missed my point. I didn't defend him anywhere in that post. I never said he wasn't drunk. i said he didn't get caught (for being charged criminally) If the News was really worried about him drinking and driving the police are only a phone call away.........The police station is only a couple of blocks away. If I drank that much beer I would be way over the limit as well. And in no condition to think about getting behind the wheel. In my opinion he did as much or more damage to himself by how badly he handled getting caught doing something extremely stupid. I would have at least some respect for a man who does something really stupid and then admits his mistake instead of making threats and then a downplayed half hearted appology. Friggin Marion Barry got caught smoking crack and got re-elected:shrug:

I have a problem with the reporting tactics and integrity of that particular news station. It happened before this particular incident. They made a big deal of a minor issue and were caught doing the same thing while they were doing their "investigative report". I used to know several of the reporters that worked there. The station has recently started more tabloid type reporting and it disgusts me. So I distrust their motives when a simple solution was easily available.

[Dirt Surfer]

^^^ Fair enough. It's hard to defend reporters. I'm just pissed about the subject, not your post. Public officials know falling on the sword might be in their future. When some one makes a mistake, he becomes a liability. This guy does just what you said, threatened and then mumbled something and the PPA puts their arm around the guy and basically says, "what more do you guys want, he said he was sorry." It's just sad. Most of the time I don't care what reporters like to blow out of proportion, but this is different. This is way out there.

[Wild Hare]

I think you missed my point. I didn't defend him anywhere in that post. I never said he wasn't drunk. i said he didn't get caught (for being charged criminally) If the News was really worried about him drinking and driving the police are only a phone call away.........The police station is only a couple of blocks away. If I drank that much beer I would be way over the limit as well. And in no condition to think about getting behind the wheel. In my opinion he did as much or more damage to himself by how badly he handled getting caught doing something extremely stupid. I would have at least some respect for a man who does something really stupid and then admits his mistake instead of making threats and then a downplayed half hearted appology. Friggin Marion Barry got caught smoking crack and got re-elected:shrug:

I have a problem with the reporting tactics and integrity of that particular news station. It happened before this particular incident. They made a big deal of a minor issue and were caught doing the same thing while they were doing their "investigative report". I used to know several of the reporters that worked there. The station has recently started more tabloid type reporting and it disgusts me. So I distrust their motives when a simple solution was easily available.
I would have to agree. Technically he has not been busted for anything since the cops were not called and he was not pulled over and given a field sobriety test. He just needs to watch his p's and q's for awhile now while the dust settles.

[Frank Z]

My $.02
It's all about ratings for KOAA, that's it. No different than any other broacast media.

Had anyone truly been concerned about public safety with regards to Newsome's drinking and driving they should have gone to the proper authorities and let the the legal system work the way it's supposed to. Of course that wouldn't do squat for their ratings now would it?

I'd also like to see an investigative piece done on the sources "Both inside and out" of the DA's office that were used. Why didn't any of them bother using the chain of command? I'm all for blowing the whistle if other avenues don't work, but somehow I get the feeling that this is not the case here.

I'm not condoning Newsome's conduct in any way, shape, or form, I simply despise the public lynchings performed by the media for their own benefit.

[Dirt Surfer]

I still don't understand. We all know news organizations are sleazy ratings whores. OK, fine. They certainly don't care about public safety, and I certainly don't believe what ever they say their motives were. They're scum.

Now how does that fact, in any shape or form, lessen the lead prosecutor for the county, the one that handles DUIs and other crimes, driving around all day drinking and driving on the publics dime. How in the world does the sleazy news reporters diminish a grown man in the position he is in making the conscious decision to engage in illegal, not to mention unethical behavior, and then be left in the position to prosecutes those that do the same. I'm baffled how KOAA is being taken to task on this issue.

[Oscar]

Because it is obvious they did it for May sweeps and not reported when they found out about it in early April

[Dirt Surfer]

Because it is obvious they did it for May sweeps and not reported when they found out about it in early April

Again, how does that diminish the fact that the DA drives around town drunk on our time? So it does not count that he drives around drunk on company time because KOAA is out for *gasp* ratings? Oh the humanity!

We should let all the child predators go that Dateline catches because I guarantee you they only do it for ratings. Everyone of them said they were sorry to boot.

[Oscar]

Because they sat on it news isn't about entertainment as I see it they have a public trust too. They should ave reported it when they found out about it.

[Dirt Surfer]

Because they sat on it news isn't about entertainment as I see it they have a public trust too. They should ave reported it when they found out about it.


I agree with you whole heartily. They should issue a public apology and discontinue any more coverage and let the other stations do it.

Now that we have dealt with those scum bags, what prey tell do you think should be done about our drunk driving DA?

[Wild Hare]

Again, how does that diminish the fact that the DA drives around town drunk on our time? So it does not count that he drives around drunk on company time because KOAA is out for *gasp* ratings? Oh the humanity!

We should let all the child predators go that Dateline catches because I guarantee you they only do it for ratings. Everyone of them said they were sorry to boot.

we don't know he was drunk. he was drinking on an extended lunch hour.

[Oscar]

Was he drunk? We assume he was but that is a supposition. Remember the old saying you didn't break the law if you didn't get caught. As for what to do well if he doesn't step down and nobody steps up and runs against him he is here to stay for 4 more years.

[Wild Hare]

where I am from we have judges, city council as well as county commissioners getting multiple DUI's and they still get re elected to their jobs. so a DA being taped drinking during the day and then driving should really have any impact since he was not caught by police and he is running unopposed in the next election.

[Dirt Surfer]

we don't know he was drunk. he was drinking on an extended lunch hour.

Um no, that's not what was reported. It was 4:15pm to 9:30pm. He went back to the office for some meeting in between the two bars.

[Dirt Surfer]

Was he drunk? We assume he was but that is a supposition. Remember the old saying you didn't break the law if you didn't get caught. As for what to do well if he doesn't step down and nobody steps up and runs against him he is here to stay for 4 more years.

Let me ask you. If you drank nearly 13 beers in a five hour period, would you be OK to drive? With the legal limit lowered to .08, do believe at all that if he actually drank the 134 oz. that was reported, that he was under the legal limit?

Great, if he wins the election and I see him I'll buy him a few beers. If it's alright by him, it's OK by me. I just hope he returns the favor if I am ever across form him in a court room. Ya right!

[noahfecks]

Hey DaJudge, if he had been stopped by police and formally convicted of DUI would his convictions as a DA be overturned the way that criminals can be set free if the cop that was doing the investigation is found to be dirty?

Shame on the news for not calling the police. Shame on the DA for his actions. Shame on anyone who defends this guy.

[noahfecks]

If you have a CDL DUI is .04 and there is zero tolerance when in a commercial vehicle.

[Frank Z]

Shame on the news for not calling the police. Shame on the DA for his actions. Shame on anyone who defends this guy.:thumbsup:

[Yucca-Man]

I can't wait 'til the next DUI case hits the courtroom and the defendant pulls the "I wasn't drinking to impairment" trick...

[Wild Hare]

I can't wait 'til the next DUI case hits the courtroom and the defendant pulls the "I wasn't drinking to impairment" trick...
what ever!, the DA did not get a UA or a BA. when the next DUI is in his court it will be backed by the evidence not a TV news story

[Dirt Surfer]

There is the court system, then there is reality. If I spark up a joint in front of your face, you don't need a UA to tell you I'm getting high. Now if you want to take my freedom and money away, you will need more proof than that.

We don't have a BA to tell us how drunk he was, and therefore we can't take his freedom or his money. However, I don't need a BA to tell me I'm drunk after 13 beers and I should not be driving. At best, the video shows completely unethical behavior and misuse of taxpayer property. He only acknowledge it AFTER he had no other choice. What I also know from my experience, is that what people get CAUGHT doing, is only a tiny fraction of what they have committed. This seems like business as usual with this guy. That is my opinion, and I'm not asking to take anyone's freedom over it, but I know what I know. Just calling a spade a spade.