Winchell found guilty of DWI in Guilderland jury trial

Thursday, October 29, 2015 - 15:10

GUILDERLAND — A Niskayuna man was found guilty of driving while intoxicated after a jury trial in the Guilderland Town Court before Judge Richard Sherwood.

John Winchell, 32, was arrested on Sept. 22, 2013, at approximately 2:16 a.m. at the intersection of Elmwood Street and Fuller Road, after he failed to signal a turn and a Guilderland Police Officer noted a strong odor of alcohol, according to a police report at the time.

He had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and impaired motor coordination and failed field sobriety tests. He registered a blood alcohol content of .18 on a pre-screen device, but refused a chemical test at the station.

A jury found him guilty of one count of driving while intoxicated, one count of driving with a suspended registration, and one count of failure to signal, said a release from the Albany County District Attorneys’ Office.

Winchell faces up to one year in Albany County’s jail when he is sentenced on Jan. 14, 2016.

He must also pay fines and surcharges; attend a Drinking Driver Program; attend a Victim Impact Panel; and be subject to the possible installation of an Ignition Interlock Device.

Assistant District Attorney Brittany Grome of the Legal Affairs Unit is prosecuting the case.

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