Impaired driving charges against lawyer dismissed

Brian Wentzell. — Telegram file photo

Published on February 1, 2013; Published on February 1, 2013

Topics :: St. John's

Impaired driving charges against St. John's lawyer Brian Wentzell were dismissed this morning in provincial court in St. John’s.

Wentzell, 46, had been charged with impaired driving and failing the breathalyzer but the case was dismissed, according to the Crown, because of a lack of evidence that Wentzell had been behind the wheel of a vehicle at the time of his arrest.

The charges were laid Nov. 30 after RNC officers went to Wentzell's home. Wentzell had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Wentzell has worked on some high-profile cases. Most recently, he was a member of the defence team for Ray Newman, who was recently acquitted of second-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, Chrissy Predham-Newman.

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anthony

- February 4, 2013 at 06:46:24

why can lawyers get themselves off on dui but never regular joe

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Whaddaya At

- February 3, 2013 at 15:33:17

Assuming there were no technical problems with the breathalyzer, It can be assumed that the lawyer was impaired when he failed the breathalyzer and was charged with DUI by the RNC when they visited his home. If the lawyer did not use his vehicle to drive to his home, how did he get home ?. Did he get a taxi ?. Did someone give him a drive home ?. Did someone drive his car for him ?. Did he hop on a bus ?. Did he walk home ?. How could he have gotten home without a single person having seen him, from the time he left where he was, until he arrived home ?. If he didn't drive himself, he should have had no problem proving to the RNC how he did get home. There are obvious questions about this whole matter that just don't pass the smell test and only reinforce the negative perception many people have of our justice system.

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phmc

- February 3, 2013 at 01:04:00

2 impaired charges dropped by the crown against two lawyers in the past week or so. Disgusting. No wonder people have no respect for the law & the justice system is a joke. They should all be ashamed but I guess you needs morals for that.

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Ger

- February 2, 2013 at 18:19:05

Amazing how impaired driving charges can be dropped--you either fail the breathalyizer or you don't. Also, why was this person asked to give a sample? Somebody must have seen something!!!!!! or the police would not have visited him!!!! Very interesting!!!!!!!!!!!

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Big Shock

- February 2, 2013 at 15:37:35

Now there's a shocker.

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JMPA

- February 2, 2013 at 14:00:18

What a pile of bs. His wife was the witness and she wouldn't testify against him. Then why did the RNC go to his home....someone must have reported him. This justice system is outrageous. "And now he is a better person and a better lawyer for having gone through this experience" according to his lawyer. Do they expect the general public to accept this. My suggestion is to BOYCOTT Brian Wentzell services as a lawyer ....let him feel it through his pocket, maybe that will teach him a lesson. Remember Brian Karma can and will teach you in time.

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Ranter

- February 2, 2013 at 12:10:19

This place is a joke! No wonder they sell joke books about this place.

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willy

- February 2, 2013 at 09:31:01

Did the RNC mess up AGAIN ?????

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rosie

- February 2, 2013 at 09:04:09

Totally amazing!! If you are a cop, lawyer, or judge ,its obvious they are above the law. Two lawyers get off. Wow is all I can say, it makes me want to vomit!!

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neil

- February 1, 2013 at 23:34:31

well i never, another man charged and away he goes, like so many in this fair city, innocent until proven guilty, or is it guilty until proven innocent, too many drunk drivers on our streets, and many of them not with license or no insurance or even own a vechile, when is it going to stop, and if u do charge them they get off and then get off and then again get off, not fair i say not fair

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al

- February 1, 2013 at 23:00:47

It is GOOD to know justice is being "served" in NL. Did you ever doubt the outcome?? This is the norm in "Justice system" - those with no capital get the capital punishment.

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Herb Morrison

- February 1, 2013 at 20:19:03

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?

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Anon

- February 1, 2013 at 19:55:22

Another lawyer getting off with drinking and driving. There should be a zero tolerance for drinking & driving. Lawyers are supposed to uphold the law not break it. It is crazy how these high profile people get off with these kind of charges.

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off with it

- February 1, 2013 at 18:45:56

If that wasn't a lawyer he would be doing jail time of paying a fine. Where is Justice

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leah

- February 1, 2013 at 18:12:44

Its not the polices fault,after all he was chraged-- the lawyer himself knows the loopholes to jump througyh.Crooked system we have indeed

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PHILLY

- February 1, 2013 at 17:49:14

What a joke. The law doesn't count for the lawyers who can manipulate it away. Our courts are a joke.

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Police Review

- February 1, 2013 at 17:10:40

How many non-lawyer people have been unlawfully arrested and convicted under the same circumstances but perhaps can't afford representation? There needs to be a serious review of the police in such circumstances.

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Say What

- February 1, 2013 at 17:07:36

The charges should never have been laid obviously, yet this man was openly embarrassed etc. Hope he takes it farther!

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Jim

- February 1, 2013 at 16:47:24

Surprise, surprise.....this is what justice is also like in the third world...

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Eli

- February 1, 2013 at 16:20:37

Gives new meaning to the word crooked. Oh, I forgot, Muskrat Falls and Nalcor.

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- john brooks
  
  - February 2, 2013 at 00:04:37
  
  I am surprised at the various comments that glibly suggest misconduct or favourtism by the police or Crown, when in fact there is absolutely no basis for that. Brian Wentzell is entitled to the same presumption of innocence and protection under the law as every one of us (including our anonymous commentators) .Here, Crown councel concluded there was no reasonable chance of conviction and properly dismissed the charges.That is the public duty entrusted to them. The system worked,full stop.
Political Watcher

- February 1, 2013 at 16:02:51

Two tier justice; cops and lawyers can drink and drive and even be involved in accidents and yet they walk free. The average Joe/Jane gets caught; fines, jail time etc... You know, someone has to look at the Police here; not only this but in the recent past we have seen very violent offenders walk away free and all because the police botched the investigation. It has to make one wonder

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Scott Free

- February 1, 2013 at 15:51:21

Raise you hand if you're surprised!

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Whaddaya At

- February 1, 2013 at 15:37:31

Charges dismissed because of lack of evidence ?.There wasn't even one witness who saw the lawyer behind the wheel of his vehicle before he failed the breathalyzer and was arrested ?. Gives new meaning to the term ' ghost car '. Absolutely amazing but somehow not surprising.

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Impaired driving charges against lawyer dismissed

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