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Leon: In other news, News at 11, Some of DC's alcohol testing machines are
apparently getting a failing grade. Tonight, ABC 7 News learns the
majority of police department units are flawed. Cynne Simpson is live in
Georgetown with more. And Cynne, this could place hundreds of DUI
convictions in jeopardy, couldn't it?
Cynne: That's right, Leon. This could have a huge fallout. Friday nights
are typically very big for DUI convictions, and it turns out a lot of
people who have been convicted of drinking and driving over the last two
years could have those convictions overturned. Metropolitan Police Chief
Cathy Lanier says from October, 2008, to February, 2010, eight of the ten
city's Intoxilyzers were generating inaccurate results.
Cathy: It's disappointing in some sense, but I mean I'm happy we caught it,
and I'm happy we caught it when we did.
Cynne: The Intoxilyzers were taken out of service earlier this month to be
fixed and are now fully functioning, but local attorneys say the effects of
the breakdown will be wide reaching.
David: People have been convicted and sent to jail, based on the results
that were issued by these machines, and now we're finding out that those
were incorrect and can't be relied on.
Cynne: Attorney David Benowitz expects hundreds, if not thousands, of
charges will be dropped and convictions overturned.
David: And I think the litigation is going to be pretty massive.
Cynne: And that could mean people being released from jail, suspended
licenses being reinstated, and millions of dollars in court costs and fees
being refunded right out of taxpayer's pockets.
Kaila: I know people who have had DWIs and you aren't allowed to drive if
you get them if you've had more than one. And so if they were falsely
accused of that, it definitely affects your every way of being.
Woman: They know that there is this problem now and maybe it's going to be
fixed.
Cynne: And right now Metropolitan Police are in the process of going
through all of their DUI cases to determine which ones had Intoxilyzers
involved.[inaudible 01:56]in Georgetown, Cynne Simpson, ABC 7 News.