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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Metzen arrested for drunken-driving

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posted by Bob at Wednesday, May 23, 2007

3 Comments:

Blogger Bob said...

South St. Paul
Metzen arrested, faces DWI charges
Senate chief had brought session to close 2 hours earlier
BY BRIAN BAKST
Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 05/23/2007 12:12:47 AM CDT


James Metzen, president of the Minnesota Senate, faces drunken-driving charges from his arrest early Tuesday in South St. Paul just hours after he gaveled the 2007 session to a close.

South St. Paul Police Chief Michael Messerich said an officer stopped Metzen in his sport-utility vehicle just after 2 a.m. when the officer observed him weaving in his lane. The stop occurred less than a mile from his house.

He was given a field sobriety test and was arrested. His blood-alcohol concentration was 0.15 percent, almost twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He faces two misdemeanor charges, including fourth-degree driving while impaired. The case was referred to the city attorney for formal charges.

"Senator Metzen was given no special treatment nor did he request any special treatment," Messerich said. "He was treated like anyone else."

Metzen, 61, a seven-term DFL senator from South St. Paul, told officers he had three or four drinks, Messerich said. He was released, and his wife picked him up about 4 a.m.

Metzen didn't immediately return a call about the incident. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, Metzen apologized "for my lapse in judgment." He said he attended a celebratory gathering with his peers after leaving the Capitol and used bad judgment.

"I want you and all of my legislative colleagues to know that I plan to be accountable for my actions," he wrote. "I also plan to seek a professional evaluation and am committed to following through on their recommendations."
The case was being referred to the South St. Paul city attorney but was expected to be prosecuted by another jurisdiction to avoid a conflict.

Metzen had the final word as the Senate adjourned for the year around midnight. "Let's go home," he told his colleagues.

Metzen has drawn previous attention over alcohol. In 2004, a Twin Cities television station aired a hidden-camera report on drinking at the Capitol. At one point, a DFL House member and lobbyists were captured on film drinking in Metzen's office.

The report never showed Metzen with a drink, but he supplied then-Rep. Scott Wasiluk with alcohol during a late-night session.

"I came to raid your whiskey," Wasiluk said.

"That's what it's there for," Metzen replied.

In addition to serving as the Senate's presiding officer, Metzen is chairman of the Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee.

Metzen's legislative career began in 1974 when he was elected to the first of six House terms. He traded up to the Senate in 1986 and has been re-elected to that post six times, most recently in November.

Away from the Legislature, Metzen is a vice president at Key Community Bank in Inver Grove Heights.

8:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey,
Give me, that old time religion.
Pass that bottle, over to me.
One more for the road, Make It A Double.
Next time, I just might drive over a WWB.
Ooosp I mist.

9:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does any one remember the 12 year old girl hit and dragged 1/4 mile from Robert and Wentworth in
W. St. Paul?
She lost a arm, and she just was release from the hospital just lately.

Drinking Impairs' Judgement.

Senator Metzen was driving "DRUNK" with a legal weapon in his hands, that is a car.
HE as a law maker knows right from wrong, and still broke the law.
We should make a example of him, and put him in jail.
His sister-in-law is a Dakota County Judge, and watch the case very closely.
I will see if he get the maximum time in jail, and see that he is watched with a "eagles eye".
Knowing the law and breaking it, is like laughing in the face of the police.
No one is above the LAW, I am a driver who does not like to see accidents.
A accident is accidental, but driving while drunk is the same a have a loaded GUN and playing Russian roulette.
Russian roulette is a lethal form of gambling in which participants place a single round in a chamber of a revolver and, spinning the cylinder such that the location of the round is unknown, take turns putting the weapon to their temples (heads) and pulling the trigger until the weapon discharges.
Drunken Driving is that same idea.

What if he ran a red light and hit a car, that had 6 people in it and they all died?
What if Metzen hit your car, and your family were injured.
Some people's injured in a car crash , it could be life or death.
NO one deserves to be injured, and drunks are the most dangerous people on earth.

So --- How many drinks??? do the people the work at city hall, have at "lunch"????
The Judges, Prosecutors, Public Defenders, Mayor. Council Persons, Police Chief, Police Officers,
Code Enforcement, and so on ?

Impaired Judgement is what we have working for us, in all parts of government.

Bill Dahn is a non drinker, and a non smoker.
Vote For Bill Ward 2

9:30 PM  

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