2004-05-04
By George Schroeder
The Oklahoman
NORMAN -- Oklahoma reserve quarterback Paul Thompson was charged Monday with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to a Norman police report, Thompson was arrested early Sunday morning after being pulled over for running a red light. Cleveland County district attorney Tim Kuykendall said Thompson's blood alcohol content measured .08 when he was arrested.
Thompson, 20, has an initial court date of June 8. If convicted, he could receive a sentence of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. That's not likely, though. Kuykendall said first offenders typically receive sentences of probation, pay fines, attend a DUI education school and perform community service.
Through a school spokesman, OU coach Bob Stoops declined comment Monday. Media relations director Kenny Mossman said the situation would "be handled within the framework of the team, and it will be an internal matter."
Thompson, who will be a junior next fall, has spent the past two seasons as OU's second-team quarterback. He retained that status after spring practice.
According to the police report, at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, Norman officer Gregory Laffin observed a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Thompson run a red light at the intersection of Lindsey and McGee streets.
After pulling Thompson over in the nearby McDonald's parking lot, Laffin smelled alcohol on Thompson's breath and noted slightly slurred speech from Thompson, according to Norman police spokesman Lt. Tom Easley. According to Kuykendall, Thompson told police he had had three or four beers.
Thompson failed a field sobriety test, according to the report, then consented to a blood alcohol content test, which registered .08.
He was taken to the Cleveland County Detention Center. Sunday morning, Thompson was released after posting $1,000 bond. An unidentified passenger with Thompson was not arrested.
Because he is not 21, Thompson could have been charged with DUI with any measurable blood alcohol count. But .08 is in excess of the legal limit for any age.