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Sunday, September 28, 2008
Courts - "Kenctucky Prosecutor says plea deal punishes philanthropist Robert Clarkson in DUI case"
Not Indiana, but interesting. Andrew Wolfson of the Louisville Courier Journal has a long report today that begins:
Driving drunk on Hurstbourne Parkway on June 12, Louisville insurance executive Robert Clarkson smashed his 2008 Mercedes into a motorcycle, breaking the cyclist's pelvis and nearly taking his life.
AdvertisementThe 67-year-old owner of the Robert H. Clarkson Insurance Co. was charged with DUI and felony assault -- the latter punishable by five to 10 years in prison.
But when Clarkson, who was not injured in the crash, appeared in Jefferson District Court the next month, the county attorney's office agreed to amend that felony to a violation -- careless driving -- which carries a maximum fine of $100.
Clarkson, a longtime philanthropist and civic booster, pleaded guilty to that charge, which is less than a misdemeanor, as well as to drunken driving, a traffic violation, and agreed to serve 30 days of home incarceration in his 6,877-square-foot, $1.7 million house in Anchorage.
Chief DUI prosecutor Bob Fleck said in an interview that he "agonized" over reducing the felony charge so drastically but decided to do it so the victim -- Rich Wiseman, 33, who may be permanently disabled -- can benefit from Clarkson's $3 million umbrella insurance policy.
Fleck said lawyers for Clarkson and Wiseman told him the policy excludes coverage for any acts that occur during commission of a felony or misdemeanor. He acknowledged that he did not read the policy himself. And court documents provide no details about the insurer.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 28, 2008 09:43 AM
Posted to Courts in general