Former councilwoman’s trial to be again delayed

By Cassie Tomlin

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 | 1:07 p.m.

For the fourth time since her arrest last year, former Boulder City Councilwoman Karla Burton will wait to be tried on driving under the influence charges.

Attorney John Watkins, who is representing Burton, said he would ask that a trial before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace William Jansen set for tomorrow be postponed.

Burton said she was disappointed by the delay and was looking forward to closing the case after nearly two years.

"I want it over with," she said.

Watkins said he was still waiting on a videotape of the arrest taken from a police vehicle. Three police cars were on the scene, he said, but he has received video from only two.

A new hearing date will be set when he appears before Jansen on Wednesday, Watkins said.

Deputy District Attorney Jason Dworin said he was unaware of any missing information or impending delays.

On Feb. 6, 2007, Burton was arrested after Boulder City police saw her in her car at a gas station parking lot on Nevada Highway, according to police records. She was charged with DUI after failing a field sobriety test, records say. Her blood alcohol content was .274, more than three times the legal limit of .08, police records say.

Watkins said the tapes show that, after police officers identified Burton and determined that they believed she was impaired, they waited in the parking lot until Burton drove away.

"I find that offensive," he said, adding he planned to bring the issue up at the trial.

Watkins had requested a delay in March, saying he was missing the videotape, and a trial date in September was held over by Deputy District Attorney Bruce Nelson, who said one witness could not make the court date.

Cassie Tomlin can be reached at 948-2073 or [email protected].