Elena White’s DWI trial comes to an end
February 8th, 2007
The Elena White DWI debacle has come to end as a jury found her not guilty of driving while intoxicated. You’ll remember from previous posts that Elena White, who is the mayor’s daughter, was arrested around 11pm on July 31st of last year when one officer Derkowski of HPD pulled her over for not having her car’s headlights turned on.
After waiting about half a year, she had been on trial the past few days. The jury which was comprised of three men and three women viewed video of the arrest and determined she was not drunk. They also were further swayed by testimony by Derkowski during which White’s attorney grilled the officer and managed to get what was essentially an admittance of mistakes on the law’s behalf for what happened and more importantly how it happened, on the 31st.
White was up some fairly serious sentencing. If convicted, the mayor’s daughter could have received punishment ranging between probation, to 180 days in county jail. There also could have been a hefty fee of 2,000 smackers added on. Luckily for Elena, all that has been avoided due to the help of the video evidence and the high profile attorney her father was able to call upon for the case.
I am glad the justice system has apparently worked the way it should, but this case raises some questions and strong feelings in not only myself but many others I have talked with as well. The majority of Houstonians cannot even begin to secure such a high profile attorney as Rusty Hardin. Our only choice but for lower-quality legal representation already but the masses of a big disadvantage compared to Elena.
Do not mistake me, I am glad that Ms. White was able to be represented as she should, and as all of us should, however I cannot help but think the outcome would have been much different had her relationship to local government and opportunity for Rusty Hardin not been there. How do you feel regarding this case? Do you think that the outcome of the trail would have been a guilty verdict sans Hardin and her status as the mayor’s daughter? I’m interested in hearing your opinion.
February 11th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Since the defense was that the defendant was not DWI, it is inexplicable why she refused to take a Breathalyzer test. If sober, she would simply pass the test and go home sparing the city and public the expense of a jury trial.
I thought refusal to take the Breathalyzer test is prima facie evidence and a factor in weighing the guilt or innoence of the charge of DWI and actually capable sustaining a charge of DWI against someone as a matter of law at trial.
Having a “high profile attorney as Rusty Hardin”, as you put it, simply trashing the law enforcement officers as “three stooges” and pointing out human mistakes in the techniques and procedures of law enforcement while his client refuses to take the required Breathalyzer test stinks. Especially, when I read of DWI checkpoints by law enforcement for lesser mortals and the many tragic fatal accidents in and around Houston caused by DWI drivers.
February 12th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Paul,
I agree with you; after having read more into the case/trail this weekend. I alluded to this in my post, regarding Elena’s luck with having her Dad secure such a well-known attorney and how that alone pretty much would win her a ‘not guilty’ verdict. It’s unfortunate that her social status clearly gave her advantage that other Houstonians would not and have not had.
In my thoughts, I still keep coming back to how driving with the headlights off is just plain asking to get pulled over. I cannot recall a single time at which I have not turned on my headlights when driving at night.
Elena White is a lucky girl, whether she was intoxicated or not. Overall, a strange case and trial.
, Grayson