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Karlsson pleads not guilty to OUI

McInerney issues statement of apology

By Brian Sylvester

Posted on Monday, December 4th, 2006, 12:00 am

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Kathy Karlsson, the assistant coach of the University of Maine women’s basketball team, entered a plea of not guilty on one count of criminal OUI in the 3rd District Court Tuesday afternoon.

Karlsson did not personally appear in court, but her attorney, Lawrence Lunn, entered the plea on her behalf. The case will likely not be resolved until early 2007. If convicted, Karlsson will face a minimum of 48 hours in jail and a fine of $500 and a 90-day suspension of her license.

UMaine head basketball coach Ann McInerney was present in the vehicle with Karlsson when she was arrested. The arresting officer’s report indicates that McInerney attempted to give him a false name when he asked who she was. She walked home from the scene of the arrest.

McInerney has issued a public statement regarding the event, in which she said, “I apologize for my role in the incident that took place on the evening of November 5. As the head coach, I have a serious responsibility to model good behavior and to lead this program in a way that reflects the values and ideals of the University of Maine.”

McInerney went on in her statement to specifically apologize to President Kennedy and Blake James, who she said both “quickly made clear their displeasure and disappointment.”

Karlsson was arrested on Nov. 5, at roughly 11:45 p.m. She was driving down Hogan Road in Bangor when an officer observed her weaving while driving. The arresting officer, Christopher Hashey, pulled her over after she had turned onto Mt. Hope Avenue, where he administered a field sobriety test.

Three tests were administered, in which Karlsson was asked to write a section of the alphabet, walk and turn, and stand on one leg. The officer also administered a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, wherein he observed a lack of smooth pursuit in both of Karlsson’s eyes, indicating a relatively high level of intoxication.

Based on Karlsson’s performance on these tests, officer Hashey placed her under arrest. She was then taken to the Orono Police Department, where she was given an Intoxilyzer breath test, which revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.15 percent, nearly twice the legal limit. Because her BAC was above 0.14 percent, Karlsson was charged with criminal OUI, which carries stiffer penalties, including jail time. Karlsson was released from custody after being issued a summons for criminal OUI.

Karlsson’s arraignment was held on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Her options are to either change her plea from not guilty to guilty, or to seek a trial. As of press time, her attorney was not available for comment on her legal plans.

After her arrest, Karlsson was suspended from the women’s basketball team for three games, although at that time no information was given out about the reason for this suspension.

At this time, she faces no other administrative penalties. Athletic Director Blake James and UMaine President Robert Kennedy declined to comment on the possibility of further administrative action if she is convicted.

Coach McInerney has not faced any administrative penalties for her involvement in the incident. Since the arrest, Karlsson has returned to her position as assistant basketball coach and the team has gone 5 – 1 for the season.