State v. Townsend

Connor, Judge:

A magistrate’s court jury convicted Melvin Townsend of driving under the influence, first offense. Townsend appealed to the circuit court, which reversed and remanded for a new trial. The state appeals. We reverse the circuit court and reinstate the conviction.

On May 3, 1994, State Trooper Don Bannister received a call that a 1991 Lincoln had “cut down” a power pole and run into an old bank building in Waterloo, South Carolina. Upon arriving at the scene, he questioned some firemen about who was driving the vehicle. The firemen pointed to Townsend. Bannister noticed Townsend…