This afternoon Charleston County Magistrate James Gosnell determined that probable cause did exist and the Felony DUI case against Lisa Pistolis will move forward.
Pistolis has remained behind bars since the January 27, accident that claimed the life of Serjei Cahuantzi ,35 of Charleston and seriously injured his passenger on I-525 in North Charleston.
Pistolis was not in court for today's hearing and was represented but her court appointed attorney Alica Penn.
During the hearing North Charleston Police Officer Jonathan Lawrence highlighted the facts, including that both vehicles were traveling east bound on 526 when Pistolis lost control and struck the Jeep driven by Cahuantzi. Cahuantzi died at the scene and his passenger was take to MUSC with internal injuries. Pistolis was also transported and administered sobriety tests.
NCPD Officer Lawrence stated the Pistolis acknowledged drinking "one beer" at Gene's Haufbrau in West Ashley. Lawrence was asked by Assistant Solicitor Larry Todd if Pistolis seemed remorseful his response a simple "no". According to Mr. Todd additional witnesses stated that Pistolis shared two pitchers of mimosas and beer while at the bar.
Cedar's Take: Tragic event all around, and one has to wonder why Pistolis has not been able to raise enough to secure the $73,000.00 bail or why Pistolis' public defender has not requested a reduction in the bail amount.
Even if the facts don't play out as the state would like, this young attractive woman has ruined her life. I'm sure she never thought she would find herself behind bars looking at 20 year sentence. The truth is if you drink and drive this can happen to you and if you are in an accident, this will happen to you.
Fact is she shouldn't have had the first beer. Had her answer been "I have not had anything to drink" she would be at home right now. It is that simple. You drink you don't drive. Period.
Hat tip to Andrew Knapp for tweeting today's court hearing from which much of the above was derived.
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| Lisa Pistolis, 24 Courtesy Charleston County Sheriff |
Pistolis was not in court for today's hearing and was represented but her court appointed attorney Alica Penn.
During the hearing North Charleston Police Officer Jonathan Lawrence highlighted the facts, including that both vehicles were traveling east bound on 526 when Pistolis lost control and struck the Jeep driven by Cahuantzi. Cahuantzi died at the scene and his passenger was take to MUSC with internal injuries. Pistolis was also transported and administered sobriety tests.
NCPD Officer Lawrence stated the Pistolis acknowledged drinking "one beer" at Gene's Haufbrau in West Ashley. Lawrence was asked by Assistant Solicitor Larry Todd if Pistolis seemed remorseful his response a simple "no". According to Mr. Todd additional witnesses stated that Pistolis shared two pitchers of mimosas and beer while at the bar.
Cedar's Take: Tragic event all around, and one has to wonder why Pistolis has not been able to raise enough to secure the $73,000.00 bail or why Pistolis' public defender has not requested a reduction in the bail amount.
Even if the facts don't play out as the state would like, this young attractive woman has ruined her life. I'm sure she never thought she would find herself behind bars looking at 20 year sentence. The truth is if you drink and drive this can happen to you and if you are in an accident, this will happen to you.
Fact is she shouldn't have had the first beer. Had her answer been "I have not had anything to drink" she would be at home right now. It is that simple. You drink you don't drive. Period.
Hat tip to Andrew Knapp for tweeting today's court hearing from which much of the above was derived.
