WARRENTON, NC— A session of Warren County Criminal Superior Trial Court was held during the week of January 17, 2017, and presided over by the Honorable Michael O’Foghludha. During the week long session the District Attorney’s Office presented the case of State vs. Harold Jay Whitney. Mr. Whitney was represented by attorney Mitch Styers.
Mr. Whitney was charged with Driving While Impaired and Driving Left of Center after being stopped by Troopers Burrell and Settles of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on May 23, 2014. Both Troopers testified that Mr. Whitney was driving on the wrong side of the road near the intersection of Churchill Road and U.S. 158 in Warren County.
Mr. Whitney was either unable or unwilling to produce a breath sample, so there was no exact determination as to the level of alcohol in his system.
Jurors had to rely on observations and testimony regarding his ability to complete the performance testing conducted by Trooper Burrell. The case was presented to a Warren County Jury by Assistant District Attorney Mark L. Gregory, and the jury returned a guilty verdict.
Mr. Whitney was sentenced to a 30 day active sentence which was suspended for 12 months of unsupervised probation.
(Press Release from the DA)