Dorchester County Sheriff's Office report

Narrative from the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office report written and approved by Sgt. Randy Botten, who charged Sen. Randy Scott on Saturday night with drinking under the influence:

On 04-19-2008 R/O was informed by Deputy (Chris) Freshman of a possible DUI suspect. Deputy Freshman stated that the vehicle was being driven in a very erratic manner, drifting from lane to lane. Deputy Freshman stated that he ran the tag was a state senator, and that the vehicle abruptly pulled into the Bi-Lo parking lot on Boone Hill road. R/O arrived at the Bi-Lo and met with Deputy Freshman and (Deputy Alexiss) Underwood. R/O observed the vehicle sitting in the parking lot. R/O watched the vehicle for several minutes. The vehicle stayed in the parking lot with no lights on and with an occupant in the drivers seat.

R/O advised Lt. (George) Hill that the vehicle was registered to a state senator and requested a unit with a camera system be en route, due to R/O vehicle not being equipped with one. Deputy Freshman and Underwood watched with R/O. R/O determined that the vehicle may not leave and was going to make contact with the vehicle and ensure the occupant was safe. R/O advised Deputy (Adam) Smith to come to the Bi-Lo and meet to make contact with the vehicle. Deputy Freshman and Underwood were dispatched to another call and left the area. When the deputies car left the suspect vehicle started driving across the parking lot of the Bi-Lo. The vehicle crossed the entire parking lot from in front of Bi-Lo to the ditch at Orangeburg Road, some three hundred yards, nearly driving into the ditch.

The vehicle stopped abruptly at the ditch. The suspect vehicles lights then came on and then left the parking lot onto Orangburg Road, towards Embassy Drive. Deputy Smith at the R/O's direction followed behind the suspect vehicle. The vehicle made an immediate right onto English when Deputy Smith pulled out. The vehicle continued on English, with the driver not able to maintain the correct lane of travel. The vehicle came to a partial stop at the stop sign and English and Bristow Dr., and turned the left onto Bristow Dr. The vehicle continued on Bristow, and again the driver was unable to maintain correct lane.

Deputy Smith was behind the vehicle and was advised by telephone to stop the vehicle. The vehicle then made a left turn onto Froman Drive, again struggling to maintain correct lane of travel. Deputy Smith and R/O initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle as it pulled into the driveway at 114 Froman Drive. R/O made contact with the driver and asked for drivers license, registration and proof of insurance. R/O observed the drivers behavior while waiting on the items that had been asked for. The subject was very sluggish in his movements and was not clearly audible when talking. The driver handed R/O a South Carolina DL, and a South Carolina state senate card. The driver identified as the subject listed above stated that he could not locate the insurance or registration card.

R/O stepped closer to the drivers door after an odor of alcohol was detected in the drivers compartment. R/O asked the subject to exit the vehicle and walk to the rear in front of the patrol car. The subject looked at R/O and asked why this was being done to him. R/O observed the subjects eyes to be blood shot and that his clothes appeared too disheveled. R/O asked the subject if had had anything thing to drink, the subject replied that he had two drinks.

The subject got out of the vehicle and immediately grabbed the side of the vehicle to steady himself. The subject continued to hold onto the vehicle, stopping at the tailgate. The entire time R/O was speaking to subject he propped himself on the rear. R/O repeated the question to the subject about any alcohol being consumed prior to the stop. The subject again stated that he had two drinks. While speaking to the subject R/O detected an odor of alcohol about his person. R/O advised the subject that the odor of alcohol was detected in his vehicle and about his person. Subject stated to R/O that he had been at church and then gave an account for his day, including the last place he was at. R/O asked subject why he was pulling into the driveway of the residence. The subject stated that he was coming to see the occupant, a Mr. Floyd Davis. Subject stated that he was coming to talk to him about politics.

R/O read the subject his Miranda rights and asked subject to submit to field sobriety test. The subject complied with R/O. R/O asked the subject his education level, subject replied that he had a GED and any medical problems that would prevent the taking of sobriety test. The subject replied that he had amputated left leg. R/O started that sobriety test by asking the subject to recite the alphabet by starting with A going to Z. The subject was unable to satisfactorily complete the test, by inserting letters in the wrong sequence. R/O asked the subject to repeat the test and again the subject improperly recited, putting letters in the wrong sequence.

R/O asked the subject if he had any difficulties with math, to which the subject replied no. R/O asked the subject to count from 59 to 33. The subject started but was unable to properly count down, putting numbers in the wrong sequence. The subject was asked to repeat the test, counting from 57 to 33. Again the subject was unable to complete the test.

R/O asked the subject if he would be able to walk or balance with his leg. The subject stated that he could walk, but sometimes used a cane. R/O observed that the subject did not have a cane in his possession. R/O asked the subject to stand with his legs together and place his arms at shoulder height, the subject replied that he could not do this. The subject was then asked to complete the 9 pace walk and turn and stated that he could not do that because of his leg. R/O then had the subject stand in front of the patrol car.

R/O advised Deputy Smith to turn off the patrol vehicles front blue lights. R/O conducted gaze nystagmus test. The subject was asked to stand still and look directly at the tip of a pen. The subject was instructed to follow the pen with his eyes only, and not to move his head to follow. R/O moved the pen from center to right in a slow smooth action, noting the subjects eyes lack of smooth pursuit. The subject eyes started to indicate nystagmus before maximum deviation of 45 degrees. R/O moved the pen back to center and started the movement to the left in a slow smooth motion, with lack of smooth pursuit, noting the nystagmus was again well before maximum deviation.

The subject was read his Miranda rights again and was arrested for driving under the influence. The subject was placed in handcuffs and was asked to sit in the back of the patrol car. The subject had a difficult time getting into the rear and was handcuffed in the front, but was still unable to get in the vehicle due to the partition. The subject was seated up front. During the field sobriety test the subject repeatedly inferred that the he was being arrested for a political reason.

R/O requested the next wrecker from rotation. While waiting on the tow truck, R/O and Lt. Hill spoke to the resident at 114 Froman and asked if he was expecting company. Mr. Davidson stated to R/O that he was not and that he had been in bed since 9 o'clock p.m. Mr. Davidson also stated that he did not recognize the vehicle that was in his driveway.

Hurry Up towing arrived on scene and R/O conducted an inventory of the vehicle. A small .22 Caliber North American Arms Corp. derringer was removed from the center console. The gun was removed to be turned over to evidence for safe keeping. R/O went to the annex to complete the booking process.

At the jail, subject was in the data master room and was berating Cpl. Driggers, about the incident. R/O stood at the door to the data master room observing the BA. During the BA the subject continually berated and at sometimes appeared to be intimidating deputies. Subject continued to insinuate that the arrest was politically motivated and that someone had put the R/O up to arresting him. R/O advised the subject that it was not and that R/O was doing his job.

Subject stated when L.C. Knight is elected this would not happen anymore. R/O advised subject that he would do the same job, regardless of who was sheriff. Subject replied not here when L.C. Knight is elected. R/O finished the booking, with a continued barrage from the subject about politics and losing my job for his arrest.

Subject told detention officer to get Judge Glen Stevens to the jail to give him a bond hearing. Subject stated that if he did not come, he would fire his f------ a-- tomorrow. While explaining to subject the charges and the paper work, he asked R/O if he was going to take him to a cell and beat him, and that he heard that about you. While walking out of the jail, R/O heard the subject say, you fat a-- son of a b----.