Posted on 05/06/2006 10:00:41 AM PDT by raccoonradio
WASHINGTON - Detectives probing U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s early-morning car wreck interviewed workers at the Hawk ’n’ Dove bar yesterday while rank-and-file Capitol police are pushing prosecutors to throw the book at the well-connected pol.
“Mr. Kennedy, by his own admission, was operating under the influence of narcotics, which is a violation,” said Lou Cannon, president of the Capitol police union.
Cannon said detectives probing the Rhode Island Democrat’s 2:45 a.m. wreck visited several watering holes along Pennsylvania Avenue yesterday, asking bartenders and waitstaff if they saw Kennedy in the hours before the congressman crashed his Mustang convertible into a security barricade.
Kennedy checked himself into a Minnesota rehab center last night.
Among the bars detectives were focused on was the Hawk ’n’ Dove, a popular tavern that Kennedy is known to frequent, Cannon said.
The Herald reported yesterday that a hostess at the Hawk ’n’ Dove said she saw Kennedy drinking in the bar Wednesday night. Employees at the pub declined comment yesterday.
Cannon said despite Kennedy’s decision to seek treatment for his booze and drug problem, detectives are continuing to build a case for prosecutors.
“We’re still following the same course. We’re asking that the investigation be completed,” he said.
Kennedy, 38, was slapped with a trio of minor citations for Thursday morning’s crash and hastily checked himself into the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
“I’ve been fighting this chronic disease since I was a young man,” he said, looking solemn and tired at a Capitol Hill press conference. “Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs.”
He blamed the crash on disorienting effects from the prescription pills Ambien and Phenergan, which he was taking to help him sleep and for stomach pain, respectively. Combining the pills can have intoxicating effects.
“I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police or being cited for three driving infractions,” he said. “That’s not how I want to live my life.”
Despite his contention that he had no memory of the incident, Kennedy offered a detailed version of events just one day earlier - including the time he was driving and the exact street location. Murky details continued to trickle out from the congressman with a revelation to the Providence Journal that he spent the hours before the crash with an unidentified woman.
Cops at the crash scene reported that Kennedy appeared to have been drinking, was stumbling, slurring and had “red and watery” eyes.
Supervisors blocked patrolmen from giving Kennedy a sobriety test and instead drove him home.
In Washington, D.C., a first-offense conviction of driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol carries a mandatory six-month license suspension and possible fines.
CNN reported last night that a preliminary internal police probe found that “supervisors employed improper judgment.” Cannon said a watch commander on duty at the time of the crash will be transferred.
But Capitol police spokesman officer Michael Killough said: “We can’t confirm that any personnel has changed.”
Asked at the press conference if he planned on resigning, Kennedy shook his head and said, “I need to stay in the fight.”
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said of his son: “He has taken full responsibility for events that occurred.” Rep. Kennedy’s mother, Joan, who has battled alcoholism, declined comment last night.
AKA Fat Sweaty Teddy payoff.
The capitol police are union, the beat cops should have called in a steward to report their grievances, on the spot, after calling Drudge, WT and such.
Oh Please everyone!!
The poor struggling addict was obviously sleep-drinking!
How about a little humanity?
Would have been much easier if the captain didn't interfere and the MPDC police gave him the blood test.
The DUers are so delusional they think that CHENEY was the one who got more preferential treatment.
We have these POS idiots in Congress, while we are at war?
We are so screwed!
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That chronic disaster condition has been increasingly true for quite a long time, sadly.
With Patrick temporarily on ice, I would expect these bars to see some tough economic times unless Daddy Teddy can take up the slack.
Far too true.
The chief's name is Charles Ramsey...(D)
'Detectives: No Evidence of Struggle in ‘Struggle with Addiction’"
LOL, good one!
Maybe Cynthia McKinney can claim she has Turretts Syndrome and that's why she lashes out at people at inappropriate times and places.
- - -
As in . . . similar to . . .
Pukette's Syndrome
Egoette's Syndrome
Shrillette's Syndrome
Super-mouth-ette's Syndrome
Mouth-without-brainette's Syndrome
Digging-hole-still-deeper Syndrome
. . .
?
Sorry about that.
I at least try to turn my head away from the keyboard and screen . . . a hazard of many FR threads!
Are you serious? Like, how do they rationalize that?
Kennedy will probably end up with community service - beach patrol in Aruba.
The D next to a Kennedy name stands for Drunk.
Yes it is. I just saw the same thing elsewhere. Ramsey must be on vacation, or something.
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