Ron Bell testifies in his own DWI trial

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The prominent attorney known to sue drunk drivers took the stand in his own DWI case and told the judge the medication in question is miraculous but also has dangerous side effects so he would never over-medicate himself.

Ron Bell was arrested in June 2010. While his Breathalyzer test registered at a 0.00, his blood work showed that did have traces of an amphetamine in his system. The drug in question is called Adderall and is used to treat attention deficit disorders. Bell has admitted he suffers from ADHD, a variation of the disorder.

On Wednesday, Bell took the stand and told the judge that 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.

“For me, I'm going to monitor my blood pressure in the morning, and if my blood pressure is high I am not taking Adderal,” Bell said.

Bell told his doctor that the last Adderall pill he had taken was about 24 hours before the arrest.

“On the day of that arrest my testimony under oath is I did not take Adderal,” he added.

However, a toxicology expert testified that in his opinion the level of Adderall in Bell's blood work at the time of the arrest showed five times the level needed for medical purposes.

The state hopes the judge will also take into consideration that Bell failed some field sobriety tests. Deputies who arrested Bell said he swayed a little while trying to walk straight, was irritable and did not follow directions. Bell’s doctor testified that those are all signs of ADHD.

As Bell testified he repeatedly became sidetracked on questions, had a hard time following directions and talked over his attorney.

When the state cross-examined Bell they asked him why he didn't tell deputies about his disorder during the DWI investigation. Bell said he just didn’t.

“Nor did I tell them I had pneumonia,” Bell said. “I thought that I had great medical health.”

One of the deputies who pulled Bell over said Bell was shaky when he handed over his registration. His attorney told the courts that Bell suffers from tremors. During the three days of trial there were times when Bell's head and hands would shake as he sat and listened to testimony.

Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday evening. The judge said she may make her ruling by next Tuesday.

The state has said Adderal can be compared to speed if a patient takes too many.