Charleston (WLTX) - The chief prosecutor for Richland and Kershaw Counties has been arrested and charged with DUI in Charleston, after investigators say Solicitor Barney Giese was driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
The Fifth Circuit Solicitor was arrested on June 29 at about 11:30 p.m., according to an incident report.
Charleston police stopped Giese's blue Lincoln after they say he made an illegal left turn from Meeting Street to North Market Street, a one-way street.
When an officer began to conduct a field sobriety test, Giese had to sit down on the hood of his car, according to an incident report.
According to the report, when asked if he would have problems participating in a one-leg-stand test, Giese told police that he had a problem with his left hip while pointing to his right.
Officers say Giese failed three of four field sobriety tests, but passed an alphabet test.
An incident report states that Giese declined to take a breathalizer test after he was detained. According to an officer, Giese told him he should not have been driving that night, and when asked what he meant by the statement, Giese said, "I am not going to respond."
According to the incident report, the responding officer's vehicle was not equipped with a camera.
"We are looking forward to resolving this matter as soon as possible," Giese said in a written statement late Tuesday. "It would be inappropriate for me to comment on this incident except to say that I am consulting with my attorney and law enforcement to determine the best resolution of this matter.
"I will not have any further comment on this matter. I will continue to serve the people of Richland and Kershaw Counties as I have for the past 15 years."
Giese was first elected as Fifth Circuit Solicitor in 1994.
7/8/2009 12:43:43 PM
