The following cases were heard in Jefferson County’s district courtroom on February 8.
Ray A. McKnight of Whitehall admitted driving drunk south of Whitehall in January. According to court records, McKnight drifted off Piedmont Road, overcorrected, and skidded down an embankment. He was transported to the hospital. As part of a plea agreement, McKnight entered a guilty plea to felony DUI, his fourth or subsequent drunk driving conviction, and charges of driving without liability insurance and violating open container regulations were dropped. Judge Luke Berger ordered a $2500 bond on McKnight pending sentencing, but said McKnight could be released without posting the bond if he arranged to be on 24/7 monitoring for alcohol consumption. The judge also ordered McKnight subject to immediate arrest if the monitoring detects alcohol consumption. In addition, McKnight may not be in bars or drive, said the judge.
Shane Hemphill of Butte changed his plea February 8 to guilty of a felony DUI and misdemeanor criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges of felony partner/ family member assault and misdemeanor drug possession were dismissed. Bond of $15,000 was continued. Hemphill was ordered not to leave the state without court permission, not to associate with felons or probationers, to avoid alcohol and bars, to observe a 9 p.m. curfew, and not to be around victims and witnesses in the case.
