John Ardelean Charges Dropped: Cop Accused Of DUI In Fatal Crash Walks

[Liberal_in_LA]

John Ardelean Charges Dropped: Cop Accused Of DUI In Fatal Crash Walks (VIDEO)

John Ardelean, a police officer who was seen drinking extensively just before killing two men in a car crash, walked free from the Criminal Courts building today. All charges against him had been dropped.

The prosecution was forced to drop charges after a ruling in late April by Judge Thomas Gainer, Jr. threw out blood-alcohol evidence against Ardelean, saying it was obtained illegally.

Family members expressed outrage at the ruling.

"It's difficult to watch Ardelean walk out and knowing he's free," said Victoria Lagunas, cousin of Erick Lagunas, 21, who was killed in the crash. "Obviously that man has no heart and no conscience . . . I don't believe he's going to dwell on this."

On Thanksgiving Day 2007, Ardelean was captured on video taking at least five shots at the Martini Ranch Bar before driving away. The subsequent wreck killed Lagunas and 22-year-old Miguel Flores.

Seven hours after the accident, Ardelean's supervising officer, Lt. John Magruder, noticed Ardelean's eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of alcohol. He ordered a Breathalyzer test. Ardelean blew a .032, but prosecution experts were prepared to testify that at the time of the accident, his blood-alcohol must have been at least twice the legal limit of .08.

But other officers at the scene of the accident testified that they had seen no evidence that Ardelean was drunk.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/04/john-ardelean-charges-dro_n_601064.html

[arcadian]

1. Did he at least lose his job?

[Dawson Leery]

2. Police and street gangs have something in common.

They protect their own, regardless.

[safeinOhio]

3. America

where justice is a game.

:wtf: