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Aggravated DWI charges have been filed against the 29 year old son of Bryant Gumbel, the host of “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel.” Bradley C. Gumbel of Waccabuc was charged on November 16 with New York misdemeanor drunk driving at a traffic stop on Mead Street in Lewisboro when troopers observed him swerve his 2005 Toyota 4-Runner SUV in and out of his lane. When they approached the car, the troopers observed damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle. Gumbel was asleep in the car and the troopers allegedly detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.

Mr. Gumbel’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.18 percent, which is the initial level of blood alcohol at which authorities can charge Aggravated DWI, a much more serious offense than Driving While Intoxicated, with potential implications including loss of a driver’s license for a year and much more substantial fines than Driving While Intoxicated. The aggravated DWI statute went into effect in November of 2007. DWI can be charged if a driver has a BAC of 0.08 percent or more.

Mr. Gumbel was also charged with operating a vehicle with a suspended registration, a misdemeanor, based upon a suspension of his registration due to lapsed insurance. He is scheduled to be arraigned in due in Lewisboro Town Court on December 1.

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Lillo Brancato Jr., an actor in the movie “A Bronx Tale” and on television in the “Sopranos”, is on trial in a Bronx County murder case, charged with the December 10, 2005 fatal shooting of Daniel Enchautegui, an off-duty police officer from the 40th precinct in the Bronx. The facts are that Brancato, along with his friend, Steve Armento, had been out drinking and doing drugs at a strip club when they left the club to obtain more drugs. Brancato suggested that the two go to the home of Brancato’s friend on Arnow Place in the Bronx. When the friend did not answer the door, (Apparently, Mr. Brancato did not know that his friend had died and the apartment was empty), Brancato kicked the window in, and the two men entered the apartment to look for prescription drugs.

Officer Enchautegui, sleeping next door, was awakened by the breaking glass. He confronted Armento and Brancato, and in the ensuing shootout, Armento shot Officer Enchautegui in the chest with a .357 caliber handgun, killing him. Armento was convicted of the first degree murder of Officer Enchautegui, and was sentenced earlier this month to life in prison without parole.

Under New York State law, if another felony is committed during the course of a murder, (in this case, a burglary) then anyone involved in the burglary can be charged with both crimes under the doctrine of felony murder. Therefore, Brancato is being tried for murder even though the evidence is that he did not pull the trigger.

During opening statements in the Brancato trial on November 24, his lawyer revealed his strategy for the defense: that Brancato did not know that Armento had a gun when they went to the friend’s house looking for drugs. When the attorney claimed that Mr. Brancato was also a victim of Armento in addition to Officer Enchautegui, this statement apparently elicited gasps from the officer’s relatives and fellow officers in the courtroom. We will report on this case upon its conclusion.

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Former star actress Mackenzie Phillips of the popular ’70’s TV show “One Day At A Time” pled guilty to cocaine possession charges in Los Angeles this past week and will enter drug treatment. Phillips is the daughter of the legendary founder of the Mamas & The Papas, the late John Phillips, who had his own serious struggles with drug usage, contributing to his untimely death. The Los Angeles district attorney’s office stated that two counts of heroin possession were dismissed, and Ms. Phillips was ordered to finish an 18 month program. Apparently, this is now Phillips 10th stint in drug rehabilitation.

The 48 year old actress was arrested on August 27th at Los Angeles International Airport after police found small amounts of drugs during a security check.

Under the New York Penal Law, had Ms. Phillips been charged in New York with criminal possession of a controlled substance, the penalties range from a Class A-1 felony charge for possession of 8 ounces or more, down to a misdemeanor for the lowest level possession charge (for instance, possession of one joint of marijuana).

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“Newsradio” actor Andy Dick pled guilty to misdemeanor drug and battery charges on October 17, 2008 in Murrieta, California. Dick was arrested on felony sexual battery charges in July when a 17 year old girl accused him of pulling down her top. Riverside County police officers had responded to the scene on a complaint of an intoxicated male outside a restaurant. The actor was ordered to serve three years probation and to wear an alcohol monitor for the next year.

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New York Yankees ace pitcher Joba Chamberlain was arrested on Saturday October 18, 2008 in Lincoln, Nebraska on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of an open container of alcohol, and speeding. The Nebraska State Patrol stopped Mr. Chamberlain in the early morning hours this past Saturday after observing the Yankee pitcher driving his BMW at an excessive rate of speed. When the trooper approached the vehicle, he saw the open container of alcohol and detected an odor of alcohol. Chamberlain was then arrested on charges of driving under the influence, having an open container of alcohol and speeding.

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Exactly 13 years to the day after he was acquitted of the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, O.J. Simpson was convicted on October 3, 2008 by a Las Vegas jury of all 12 counts in thearmed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers. The jury reached its verdict after 12 days of testimony from 22 witnesses. Mr. Simpson did not testify in his own defense, the same strategy he employed in his murder trial over thirteen years ago. In addition to witness testimony from co-defendants, the jury heard hours of secretly recorded and profanity laced audiotapes.

The charges stemmed from a September 13, 2007 incident in which Simpson and five other men, two with firearms, stormed the Las Vegas hotel room of sports memorabilia dealers Bruce Fromong and Al Beardsley to retrieve mementos such as signed Pete Rose baseballs, Joe Montana lithographs, game balls and plaques which Simpson claimed were his. One co-defendant testified that Simpson instructed him to “bring a gun and look menacing” before they entered the hotel room. Simpson later denied to police that he knew that any of his accomplices were armed.

Simpson was convicted all 12 charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy to commit burglary and kidnapping. He was denied bail and taken into immediate custody. Simpson’s co-defendant Clarence Stewart was also found guilty on all 12 charges. The 61 year old ex-football star could face life in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Jackie Glass on December 5. His lawyers have vowed that they will appeal.

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Heather Locklear, one of the stars of TV shows as “T.J. Hooker”, “Dynasty”, “Melrose Place” and “Spin City”, has been charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance in a suburb of Santa Barbara, California. Ms. Locklear was stopped on September 28, 2008 by a California Highway Patrol officer after she was reported driving erratically as she exited a parking lot. The officer then observed Locklear’s car parked on a state highway and blocking traffic. When she was questioned, the officer made the determination that Locklear was “under the influence of something.” She was transported to the local police station in Montecito, California, tested for alcohol and drugs, and charged with driving under the influence of prescription medication.

Later that day, Ms. Locklear was released from custody. Her arraignment date was not immediately announced.

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“Lost” star Daniel Dae Kim pleaded no contest to driving while intoxicated in Honolulu on September 12, 2008. Kim was arrested on October 25th of last year after he was observed driving erratically by local police. His blood alcohol level (BAC) was 0.168, more than double Hawaii’s legal limit. Mr. Kim had his driver’s license revoked for six months, was ordered to pay over $700.00 in fines, must perform 72 hours of community service and will be required to undergo drug and alcohol counseling.

Kim is the third “Lost” actor to have been arrested for drunk driving; the other two, Michelle Rodriguez and Cynthia Watros, were eliminated from the show after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated.

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Robert Chambers, the “preppie killer” who served 15 years for the 1986 murder of Jennifer Levin in Central Park, pled guilty this past week to selling cocaine and assault on a police officer. Chambers, who served the maximum sentence for strangling Jennifer Levin during what he characterized as “rough sex”, was released from prison in 2003. During his original prison term, Chambers was cited for several violations, including drug possession. In November of 2004, Chambers was arrested after traces of heroin and cocaine were found in his car, which he was driving with a suspended license. He was then sentenced to an additional 100 days in prison.

During a three month undercover investigation, Chambers and his girlfriend apparently sold 246 grams of cocaine to police officers for $9,600 from a midtown New York apartment. When they were arrested last year, officers had to use a battering ram to enter the apartment, which was littered with 10 crack pipes and several tin cans of cocaine residue, among other drug paraphernalia. During a violent struggle with the police, Chambers broke one officer’s wrist.

Under the plea deal, Chambers has been promised a sentence of 19 years and 4 months. Had he pled not guilty, he faced life in prison if convicted after trial. Chambers will be 62 years old when he completes his jail term in 2027.

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L.A. prosecutors have filed felony drug charges against Craig Phillip Robinson, an actor known for his role on NBC’s show “The Office.” Robinson was arrested on June 29, 2008 on suspicion of possessing MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy, and methamphetamine. Los Angeles County prosecutors have charges Mr. Robinson with two felony counts of drug possession and one count of being under the influence of illegal drugs.

The 38 year old actor is due to appear in Court on August 21. Robinson portrays Daryl Philbin, a warehouse foreman on “The Office.” Recently, he appeared in the comedy film “Pineapple Express.”

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