Woman gets jail after being found drunk at local trial

ROYAL OAK (AP) -- A Michigan woman has been sentenced to two days in jail for contempt of court after a breath test determined she was intoxicated during her jury trial for assault and battery. The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak reports that 44-year-old Patricia Kerr was on trial last Wednesday in 44th District Court in Royal Oak when a court officer reported he smelled alcohol on her breath. She was tested in the courtroom and the judge found her in contempt. Police in the Detroit suburb didn't disclose her blood-alcohol level. Defense lawyer Charles Evans says he didn't notice anything amiss with his client. He says she was tested after the jury left to deliberate. The jury returned later that day and found the Royal Oak woman guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery. Published: Tue, May 10, 2011