From the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
PRESS RELEASE
John Garner was sentenced to 50 years in prison yesterday by visiting Judge Reagan Clark in the 410th District Court. He was found guilty by a jury of felony Driving While Intoxicated on February 4th, 2009.
Assistant District Attorney Nancy Hebert produced evidence that Garner was observed driving erratically in the 400 block of West Montgomery Street in Willis. Officer J.E. Blackwelder pulled the defendant over, approached the vehicle, and immediately noticed the odor of alcohol emitting from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The defendant performed poorly on all of the Field Sobriety Tests and refused to provide a specimen of his breath. He became belligerent at the jail and had to be restrained by the jail staff.
Garner has an extensive criminal history including three prior Driving While Intoxicated charges, Possession of Marijuana, Delivery of Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Burglary of a Building, and Theft. After being released on bond for this offense, he was promptly arrested for another DWI. That case is set to go to trial in the next few months.
District Attorney Brett Ligon was pleased with the sentence and had particular praise for the prosecutor, Nancy Hebert.
“Nancy continues to be one of the hardest working Assistant DA’s in this office. She tried more felony cases that anyone else in the office last year. This case is another example of her dedication to ensuring public safety. I’m thankful she was able to convince Judge Clark that in order to protect the welfare of our community, John Garner needs to stay in prison.”
