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Cops: Drunken Man Flees DUI Sentencing, Drives Drunk Again

A Georgia man made a poor choice during his DUI sentencing, police say.

By Deb Belt

Decatur, Georgia – A man showed up for his DUI sentencing in Fulton County drunk, police say, then fled the courtroom and led officers on a chase while driving while intoxicated.

James Earl Johnson, 44, had just been sentenced to 60 days in jail for failing to pay fines for a DUI conviction when he fled the courtroom, hopped in his truck and was pursued by police, reports WSB TV.

Officers caught up with Johnson in the parking lot of an office park off New Boyd Road in Suwanee. Police said they had to use a taser to subdue Johnson because he was fighting with officers.

During the pursuit, police said Johnson also drove at an officer, so he will face additional aggravated assault charges.

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City Solicitor Bill Riley told WSB that Johnson failed to pay more than $2,000 in fines from a previous DUI conviction and the judge decided to sentence him to 63 days in jail.

“He was non-compliant in his probation and I guess his acts were consistent with his acts as a probationer also,” Riley said.

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A witness in court Tuesday said Johnson argued with his parole officer as well as with the district attorney during his hearing.

After the sentence, the witness said Johnson at first sat calmly, then walked out of the courtroom. It wasn’t until a bailiff ran out of the room that the witness realized Johnson had bolted.

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