Ron Bell found guilty on DWI charge

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Ron Bell was found guilty on all three of his traffic charges Tuesday morning. He was accused of DWI, speeding and failure to maintain traffic lanes in connection with his June 2010 arrest.

Immediately following the verdict Metro Court Judge Christina Argyres told Bell he would be on probation for a year for driving under the influence of prescription medication last June.

“Mr. Bell as part of your sentence you're going to have to attend and complete the DWI school,” Argyres said. “You are not to possess any alcohol or illegal drugs and you're going to have to have an interlock on your car sir.”

The judge also told Bell he would go through the metro court alcohol screening program, go to a victims impact panel session held by MADD and complete 24 hours of community service.

The trial lasted three days. Seven witnesses were called to testify.

Bell was originally arrested in June 2010. Deputies testified that Bell was speeding and weaving on Tramway Boulevard when they pulled him over and said he failed his field sobriety tests.

While his Breathalyzer test registered at a 0.00, his blood work showed that did have traces of an amphetamine in his system from the drug Adderall. A state toxicology expert testified Bell had five times more in his system than he needed.

Adderall is used to treat attention deficit disorders which Bell admits he suffers from. The defense's argument was centered on that disorder claiming it made it hard for Bell to follow directions to complete the sobriety tests.

On Wednesday, Bell took the stand and told the judge what traces of Adderall were in his system were from the day before because he did not take the drug the day of the arrest. He also said he would have never taken too many because he said one of the side effects is it raises blood pressure. Bell said he already suffers from hypertension.

The judge disagreed.

“This is not a case about Adderall or ADHD as the defense would have us believe,” Argyres said. “This is a case about impairment.”

Ron Bell's attorney, Sam Bregman, said his client intends to appeal.

“There was a lot of testimony from Dr. Wong that should have not come in,” Bregman said. “I think there was a lot of testimony from our end that did not get in.”

In connection with his speeding conviction, he will pay an $80 fine. As for his failure to maintain traffic lanes conviction, he will pay a $25 fine. He was released on his own recognizance regarding these charges, however.