No verdict yet in 'super drunk' chase

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - After more than eight hours of deliberation, a Kalamazoo jury has yet to deliver their decision in the case of a Parchment Schools administrator accused of being 'super drunk' while leading police on a high-speed chase.

John Thompson is the athletic director for Parchment Schools who was arrested for driving drunk and running from police in April.

At first glance, the case appears pretty simple: Did Thompson drive drunk and did he run from police?

Thompson took the stand Tuesday and told the jury that he was pretty drunk the night of April 4 when the incident occurred.

In fact, he said he was so drunk he didn't remember the chase that reached triple-digit speeds, pulling over for officers and being ordered to the ground at gunpoint.

His blood alcohol content (BAC) level at the time was .25 -- more than three times the legal limit of .08, police records show.

The prosecutor showed the jury video of the end of the 125-mph booze-fueled chase and said it is proof that Thompson committed the felony act of fleeing and eluding police.

Thompson's attorney said the prosecution has to prove that Thompson knew he was being chased -- and if he was too drunk to know the police were after him, then he is not guilty of that charge.

In essence, Thompson's illegal act of being 'super drunk' -- a misdemeanor -- has become his defense against the felony charge.        

If Thompson is convicted of fleeing and eluding in the fourth degree, he could spend as much as two years in prison.

He remains on unpaid suspension from Parchment Schools.

The jury announced around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday after their first full day of deliberations that they had not yet reached a verdict and would return Thursday morning to continue.