Opinion ID: 890211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Bollman's Arrest

Text: ¶ 3 Columbia Falls Police Officer Craig McConnell (Officer McConnell) was on patrol in the early morning hours of August 6, 2010, when he noticed Bollman's white minivan drift out of its lane, into the center turn lane, then back into its lane of traffic. Officer McConnell followed the vehicle and observed continued drifting behavior. Bollman made a wide left turn without signaling, then slowed as if to pull over, but continued driving slowly. Officer McConnell activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop. ¶ 4 Officer McConnell testified that, upon contacting Bollman, he could smell the very strong odor of alcohol, Bollman's speech was mumbled and just kind of garbled, Bollman's eyes were bloodshot and watery, and Bollman's movements to get his registration and insurance information were slow and he fumbled around to retrieve the items. ¶ 5 Officer McConnell testified that he asked Bollman how much he had to drink, and Bollman said way too much to be driving. At some point, Bollman asked Officer McConnell to give him a break and take him home. Officer McConnell did not give Bollman a break, but rather asked Bollman to exit his vehicle. Bollman's movements were slow, he used the door for support, and was unsteady on his feet. Once Bollman was out of his vehicle, Officer McConnell asked him to perform standardized field sobriety tests, or SFSTs. Officer McConnell's vehicle had videotaping capabilities but no videotape, thus Bollman's SFSTs were not recorded. However, Officer McConnell documented Bollman's performance and testified that Bollman exhibited 6 out of 6 indicators on the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test, 3 out of 4 indicators on the one-leg stand test; and 8 out of 8 indicators on the walk-and-turn test. Based on his training and experience, Officer McConnell determined Bollman was intoxicated and placed him under arrest for DUI. ¶ 6 At the police station, which did have videotaping capabilities, Officer McConnell again asked Bollman to perform the SFSTs. Bollman said This is the part where I'm supposed to ask for a lawyer, right? ... `Cause I'm screwed. When asked if he had any injuries or physical issues, Bollman stated he had rheumatoid arthritis, and takes Prilosec and Ibuprofen. Bollman refused to perform the SFSTs. Officer McConnell then read the implied consent advisory form to Bollman before asking him to take a breathalyzer test. Bollman refused to take a breathalyzer test. ¶ 7 Bollman disputes much of Officer McConnell's testimony. Bollman testified that he was drifting while driving because he was fiddling with his Walkman, which was on the passenger side visor. He testified his eyes were bloodshot and glassy because he worked all day in the wind at a bark plant, and that Officer McConnell could not have smelled alcohol because he (Bollman) spilled diesel fuel on himself before he left work. He testified he was mumbling because he was nervous and his teeth were all bad. He testified that he fumbled with his paperwork because his glove box was full of junk. He testified that he was slow and unsteady because he was stiff and sore from working all day, and was suffering from arthritis. He testified that he did not say he drank too much to be driving, but rather said no matter how much you have one beer is too much to be driving. He testified that he could not perform the one-leg stand test because of his arthritis, so he told Officer McConnell to just take me to jail. Bollman denied performing the HGN test or walk-and-turn test. Bollman testified that he did not tell Officer McConnell he was screwed but rather said I'm not going to get screwed, I just want a lawyer. Finally, he testified that he did not trust breathalyzer machines, so he refused the test.