A request tor a second continuance of Winfred Owens

A request tor a second continuance of Winfred Owens Craft, Jr.’s speeding case was denied by Judge John Alexander in General District Court on Tuesday.

Craft’s attorney, Doug Baumgardner, made the request on Craft’s behalf and presented a letter with Craft’s explanation for his absence in court. Craft is a lawyer in Washington, D. C., and in the letter he stated that he had to go out of town to meet a government official.

Craft, who was charged with 68/55, had been granted one continuance. Judge Alexander said that Craft had known about the second court date for a month. “As a lawyer, he should realize that we can’t keep granting continuances in these cases,” Judge Alexander said. The case was then tried in Craft’s absence.

State Trooper C. A. Moore testified that he was operating stationary radar on Route 211 on June 2 when he observed a vehicle coming towards him down a hill. The vehicle’s speed registered at 68 on radar, and Trooper Moore said that he paced the vehicle for a half mile at 64 miles per hour. He said that Craft’s vehicle was at the bottom of the hill when the 68 mph speed registered, and that Craft continued traveling at 68 when he reached a more level part of the road.

Craft’s speedometer was one mile off according to a calibration presented to the court by Baumgardner. He argued that Craft was driving a new car, and he was going downhill. Judge Alexander found Craft guilty and fined him $26 in addition to $20 court costs. Baumgardner advised the court that Craft will be appealing the decision.

Other cases decided Tuesday included:

David Allen Nichols, refusal to take a breathalizer test, resisting arrest, continued to September 24.

Charles Edward Webster, illegal use of dumpster, $10/$20.

William Lee Estes, drunk in public, $10/$20.

Loring Anderson, brandishing a firearm, continued to August 13.

William Thomas Long, non-payment of fine/costs, capias issued.

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