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Krusee’s DWI charge dismissed By Philip Jankowski A judge dismissed charges of driving while intoxicated leveled against district 52 representative Mike Krusee Monday morning. The Williamson County Attorney’s office declined to proceed with prosecution because a dashboard camera’s recording of Krusee’s field sobriety test indicated little evidence of intoxication — offsetting the arresting officer’s report that indicated otherwise. Krusee (R—Round Rock) was arrested last April on suspicion of drunk driving in a neighborhood in northwest Austin. A Texas Department of Public Safety officer observed Krusee swerve while driving his black BMW. He then pulled Krusee over, performed a field sobriety test and made the arrest. During the traffic stop, Krusee said he had consumed one glass of wine. Despite the state trooper’s account of Krusee’s reportedly disheveled appearance and physical indications of intoxication, the county attorney decided to not continue prosecution because the video would have more impact on a jury than the trooper’s observations. “Because we live in a digital age, jurors tend to rely on what they see on the videos offered in the case more so than relying on the training and experience of the officer and what the officer observed on the scene,” Duty wrote in a statement. Krusee’s attorney Jason Nassour agreed with the decision. “The evidence was insufficient,” Nassour said. “When you watch the video he looks completely sober in my opinion.” During his arrest, Krusee refused a Breathalyzer test. He spent the night at Williamson County Jail. Krusee has represented district 52, which includes Taylor, since 1993. He did not seek re-election this year for his seat in the Texas House of Representatives and will be replaced by Diana Maldonado (D—Round Rock).
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