Officer's DUI Blamed On War Injuries

Jurors examined Wednesday if war injuries caused a Clayton County police officer to fail a field sobriety test.

Martin Jones’ trial continued at 9 a.m., where his defense claimed that head injuries suffered in Iraq caused Jones to appear intoxicated when he was pulled over in November.

The former Army sergeant faces charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving and speeding.

Clayton Officer's Attorneys Explain DUI Mix Up

On the witness stand Tuesday, Jones’ convoy leader and a physician testified that he sustained multiple head injuries when he was hit by roadside bombs in Iraq. Dr. Lonnie Horowitz said those brain injuries caused Jones' eyes to jerk, leading the officer who gave him a horizontal gaze test to believe he was intoxicated.

“The doctor also said Jones has a digestive disorder that sends any alcohol to the mouth, causing false readings in breath machines,” said convoy leader Joseph Walker.

Jones' attorneys played a video of Jones being injured, which they said explained his behavior, but prosecutors argued it would lead the jury to see Jones as a sympathetic figure.

The judge only allowed the jury to see one video of Jones being hit by the roadside bombs, but his commander testified he was hit by nine.

Prosecutor Carrie Mccurdy also questioned the objectivity of the doctor who testified on Jones' behalf, calling Horowitz a hired gun after he said, “The man's a hero. He stepped in front of three or four bullets for me. I think I can give him a day of my time.”

Officer T.P. Dunn, who conducted the traffic stop on Interstate 20, said Jones' speech was slurred and he admitted to drinking cognac.

“You're carrying a gun and driving a vehicle as a police officer so you need to have full function,” Dunn said.

Prosecutors said Jones drove 105 miles-per-hour and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.115 when he was stopped.