Accused DWI Cop Said He Wasn't "Really" Drinking

Andrew Kelly

The off-duty officer who fatally ran over a woman hailing a cab in Brooklyn on a rainy night in September pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and other charges yesterday. Officer Andrew Kelly, a seven-year veteran assigned to the 68th Precinct, was driving with another off-duty officer and three civilians when he struck Vionique Valnord, 32, around 1 a.m. on September 27th.

First responders reported that Kelly's breath smelled boozy and he was slurring his speech, but Kelly refused to take a Breathalyzer and when a court-ordered blood test was administered seven hours later, he scored a perfect zero. At his arraignment yesterday, prosecutors asserted that Kelly equivocated at the scene of the accident: "After being asked... if he had been drinking, the defendant first replied 'No,' then stated 'Not really.' "

Yesterday was the first time Valnord's father Varius, a pastor, had seen Kelly in person. Kelly's lawyer Arthur Aidala approached Rev. Valnord in the courtroom and explained that Kelly had wanted to personally explain what happened, but Aidala had advised against it. Aidala had previously given the family a condolence card from Kelly after the accident, but it remains unopened. Rev. Valnord told the Daily News, "I see him looking sad but it doesn't change my feelings. I don't hate him, I forgive him. But I want justice."

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By John Del Signore in News on November 6, 2009 9:18 AM

Comments [rss]

Spirit of 76

Actually, he may be right. Everything is relative. You should see him when he really IS drinking. He probably puts himself into an alcohol-induced coma.

JMH

Shocking that this lying scumbag is a Yankee fan.

brooklynmouthoff

another drunk cop killing civilians....good job.

cops are testosterone driven cocky chip-on-their-shoulder animals.

lock him up....or, like most cops, will he get special treatment because he puts in his time standing next to a construction site or "patrolling" bodegas. pigs.

americaonline

DWI isn't cool at all. I don't own a car. And really, most of the credibility of the NYPD has been lost(atleast inside the 5 boros and Long Island) but if my BA level was a 0 seven hours after drinking on a friday night, I would be surprised... but I guess it was a sunday...

mrguy

wooo go yanks!!!

what_a_dick

drunk driving cops are dicks!

hotstepper

yeah, sure buddy. and i'm not "really" having a wank right now.

leon

any relation to scumbag fascist ray kelly ? the bloomberg/kelly team got their way after being little babies about a 3rd term with bloomberg's billions. the best candidates for the job never win (rev. billy). let's see if justice is served and this guy gets put away. doubtful.