After 25 minutes of deliberation Thursday, a Hamilton County Criminal Court jury convicted a 24-year-old man of driving under the influence in 2014.
Jurors said Jefferson Clark was drunk when he jumped his Buick over a curb behind a business near 2220 Hamilton Blvd. They heard nearly five hours of evidence about the early morning hours of Jan. 31, 2014, before coming to their decision in Judge Don Poole’s courtroom.
Prosecutor Andrew Coyle called three witnesses to present the state’s case. A former security guard who found Clark said he appeared drunk when he asked for a tow truck. Instead, the mall guard called 911, and Chattanooga police officer Casey Cleveland came to the alley and performed several sobriety tests. Ultimately, a toxicology expert said, Clark’s blood alcohol content was measured as .16 – twice the statutory limit.
Clark’s attorney, Brian Pearce, said the shopping center had several nearby companies with video cameras on most of them. “And not one of those cameras was presented to you today.”
He pointed out his client, then 22, wasn’t wearing his glasses and had to steer a big car through a narrow area.
“It’s dark,” Pearce said, “and he comes to the first spot where he can turn around. And he does. The curb there has an angle. And he doesn’t see it. Not every accident involves consumption of alcohol.”
Poole said Clark will stay out on bond until his sentencing hearing next Thursday. At that time, lawyers will determine what to do with his three-count indictment, which includes two counts of driving under the influence and one count of failing to exercise due care.
He faces up to 11 months and 29 days behind bars, according to state code.
Contact staff writer Zack Peterson at 423-757-6347 or zpeterson@timesfreepress.com. Follow on Twitter @zackpeterson918.