Jan. 06--Ald. Rey Colon was found not guilty Monday of drunken driving, a development sure to make his re-election effort easier in the weeks ahead.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge James Pieczonka made the not-guilty ruling at the conclusion of a short bench trial, during which a video recording of Colon's July 25 arrest was played.
Although Colon can be seen putting his arms out to the side to keep his balance while trying to stand on one foot during field sobriety tests, Pieczonka noted that Colon was able to walk in a straight line and stand "quite rigid and straight" during the one-foot test.
The judge also determined that Colon's booking mug shot did not prove he was intoxicated. "His eyes appear to be a little bloodshot, not completely bloodshot -- I've seen a lot worse," Pieczonka said.
Afterward Colon, who did not testify, said he was grateful for the verdict but upset about the amount of resources that went into the trial.
"I woke up this morning trusting that God would do his job, and the justice system would do its job, and I just want to go back and do my job," Colon said. "I'm unhappy that all this time and resources have been spent on something that centered on me."
Colon was arrested shortly before 1 a.m. July 25 on the westbound Homan Avenue exit off the Eisenhower Expressway. Illinois State Police Trooper Eric David testified that he made the stop after seeing the alderman's Honda Element move slightly onto the shoulder from the right lane.
But Colon also was found not guilty of improper lane use because the judge determined that he should have been cited instead for driving on the shoulder.
Colon was found guilty of driving on an expired license, for which he was fined $200. He said his birthday was earlier in July and he had forgotten to renew it. He also was fined $50 and sentenced to supervision for not signaling his exit from the highway.
Running against Colon in the Feb. 24 election is Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, a community organizer with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
hdardick@tribpub.com
Twitter @ReporterHal
