GORHAM, Maine — A Gorham town councilor accused of being drunk when her car hit two parked vehicles in May has pleaded not guilty.
Suzanne Phillips was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Wednesday on charges of driving drunk and leaving the scene of an accident, but pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a letter filed in Cumberland County Unified Court by her attorney.
The 36-year-old Phillips was arrested at about 1 a.m. on May 4 after allegedly hitting two parked cars on School Street and driving away.
Phillips’ attorney tells The Portland Press Herald that there is “more than meets the eye” to the case.
Phillips has refused to discuss the incident and has said she does not plan to resign from the council.
Another official who thinks they’re above the law?
She doesn’t think she’s above the law, she knows she is. Just ask her.
“more than meets the eye” to the case – Phillips’s lawyer
Maybe. Maybe she wasn’t drunk. Maybe she had a medical condition, or something else, that caused her to hit two cars, not understand she was supposed to stop, leave the scene, and then appear to the police to be drunk.
On the other hand, maybe she was drunk and knew what she was doing and should admit it right away. Yes, I know about the presumption of innocence, the state’s burden of proof, due process of law, the right to confrontation, proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the right to counsel, etc., etc. But just once, I’d like to see a public official who does this kind of thing grow a backbone and go into court on her first appearance, without a lawyer, admit what she did, plead guilty, and accept her punishment.
That would be a change, wouldn’t it?
“The other side of the story” The 2 cars jumped out in front of her,when she hit the first car a bottle of booze flew up in the air. She was so shocked her mouth opened and all the booze in the bottle slid down her throat.
Wow! I wondered how that happened. Thanks.
You might be surprised how often this actually happens…..just ask those charged with OUI and get the real facts…..