San Diego criminal defense attorney Gretchen von Helms appeared on 10News San Diego (ABC) today, commenting on the recent sentencing of Jeffrey David Blackford. (Click here for full video broadcast of the newscast) Below is the published article and Gretchen’s comments from the 10News website:
SAN DIEGO – A San Diego police gang detective who admitted being drunk and driving recklessly when he crashed a city car while off duty in Allied Gardens was sentenced Monday to five years probation, including DUI classes and 25 days of public work service. Jeffrey David Blackford, an 11-year member of the San Diego Police Department, pleaded guilty last week to a misdemeanor DUI charge and a reckless driving allegation stemming from the Dec. 7 crash.
Criminal defense attorney Gretchen von Helms, who is not involved in the case, read over court documents obtained by 10News that detail the alleged cover-up. She does not believe the district attorney will file charges against the four officers. “I think it would be very tough for the district attorney’s office to come up with evidence to prove that they engaged in some malfeasance,” said von Helms, who represented San Diego police officer Anthony Arevalos in his trial for using his badge to get sexual favors from women.
Gretchen von Helms said as a rule, blood-alcohol tests should be administered within three hours of a DUI or the test results could be questioned. “It may be that his fellow officers, knowing that rule, delayed on purpose in order to assist him, and it may be that they didn’t, we don’t know,” said von Helms.
The entire story from San Diego 10News can be found here. For more information about San Diego criminal defense law, please visit http://www.ronisvonhelms.com