NORWICH – A man that was found not guilty of a DWI charge at trial is now being brought back to county court to face additional charges. Mark Dexter was found not guilty of driving while intoxicated, but was found guilty of driving while ability impaired, a far lesser charge, and is now being charged with bail jumping, a felony.
Dexter has two prior felony DWI convictions and currently has another pending DWI case in Cortland County. Dexter was wanted on a bench warrant for the Chenango DWI since 2003 when he fled. He was arrested this year by police in Cortland for a separate charge of DWI and was found to be wanted by County officials here for a DWI. He was then turned over to Chenango County. District Attorney Joseph McBride said “This man should go to jail right now. He is a serious menace to society.” Following the verdict, McBride requested Dexter be remanded to county jail, but his request was denied. McBride also asked for the maximum sentence of one year for the DWAI. His sentencing has yet to be decided by the court.
The District Attorney’s office will now get another chance at prosecuting Dexter for fleeing the county in 2003. Bail jumping is a serious crime and combined with Dexter’s other legal troubles, if found guilty, it could lead to serious time in prison said McBride.
In court, Dexter’s attorney Jeffrey Leibo complained that the DA was bringing the charges against his client because they failed to “get him” on the other charge.
McBride asked Dexter be remanded to jail, but the court allowed him to be released on his own recognizance despite his history of flight because during his DWI, he never attempted to flee and appeared for court regularly. Supreme Court Judge Kevin M. Dowd said to Dexter after releasing him “Now don’t go and do something any more stupid than what you’ve already done.”
Dexter pleaded not guilty at the arraignment and was scheduled to appear in court at a later date.