Repeat OUI driver jailed to protect public

Repeat OUI driver jailed to protect public

By George Brennan Cape Cod Times
April 27, 2007 11:01 AM
FALMOUTH – Christopher Parker, 50, was taken into custody this morning at Falmouth District Court, the judge calling him a “danger to the community.”

Parker is charged with causing a March 5 accident on Route 130 in Sandwich that killed Forestdale grandmother Diane Carhart, 63.He will be arraigned in Barnstable District Court on vehicular homicide charges May 9.

This morning he appeared in Falmouth District Court for a pre-trial hearing on a charge of operating under the influence of drugs.

If convicted, it would be his fifth offense for driving impaired.

At the time of his arraignment on those charges, Parker was released after posting $1,000 bail. After that charge, his license was revoked by the Registry of Motor Vehicles because he was considered a danger to other drivers.

This morning his bail was revoked yesterday by Judge Tobey Mooney ruling on a prosecution motion.Based on his driving record, which includes four convictions for operating under the influence of alcohol, Mooney said he should be taken into custody for 60 days at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility.

“I would find that (Parker) would present a danger to the community,” Mooney said.

Parker, hobbled by a leg injury that requires use of cane, walked out of the courtroom behind a court officer. The officer asked him if he came to court alone and he nodded yes.

Outside the courtroom, Susan Linhares of Mattapoisett, the daughter of Carhart, expressed relief that Parker was going to jail. “The family feels justice has finally been served,” she said. “We’ve waited almost two months for this. He has proven to be a danger to society, which is why his bail was revoked.”

All defendants offered bail are warned by the judge that being charged with another crime while out on bail could lead to a 60-day sentence in jail.

Arnold Lett, Parker’s attorney, argued against revoking the bail. He said his client shows up for court, which is what bail is supposed to guarantee.“This was an unfortunate accident,” Lett said. “It was not an intentional thing.”

A pre-trial hearing was set for May 18 in this case.
George Brennan can be reached at gbrennan@capecodonline.com.