 |
| State Rep. Jewell Jones |
Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty disagreed with arguments from Jones' attorney, former Inkster Mayor Byron Nolen, and found the charges from an April 6 arrest valid. Jones is being charged for resisting and obstructing a police officer, operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, possession of a weapon while under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving.
Jones and a female companion were found outside a vehicle in a ditch on that date by Michigan State Troopers called to the scene by multiple drivers who complained of the black Tahoe being driven erratically on Interstate 96 near Fowlerville.
According to police reports, Jones refused to provide identification to officers and threatened “to call Gretchen” and warned the Troopers that he was in control of their budget. Reports stated that Jones became increasingly agitated and aggressive and officers used a Taser and pepper spray to control him at the scene.
Nolen argued during the court hearing last Friday that charges should be dropped because the arrest was unlawful, thus making the charges “fruit of the poisonous tree.”
Troopers testified that Jones refused to provide identification seven times and attempted to leave the scene before he was placed under arrest. Nolen argued that Jones was arrested simply for refusing to answer the officer's questions and without justification. Jones also refused a blood draw when taken to the Livingston County Jail delaying the process for three hours while police secured a warrant for the procedure. At that time, his blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit in Michigan.
Hatty did not agree with Nolen's argument and ruled that the “detention of the defendant is permissible. It is a lawful arrest.” Hatty also ruled against Nolen's argument that the warrant for the blood test was flawed and determined that the weapon-possession charge was also valid. Officers observed a loaded handgun on the front console of the vehicle at the time of the incident and Nolen argued that Jones was 50 feet from the vehicle at the time of the arrest. Hatty ruled that the gun was in plain view and the charges would remain.
Jones was stripped of his committee assignments in September after attempting to sneak a handcuff key into jail where he was remanded by the court after committing his third bond violation on the April charges. He was also suspended from the Inkster Auxiliary Police and asked to surrender all police equipment. He was released on bond last month after 60 days in jail to the custody of a long-time family friend who operates a rehabilitation facility.
