Carmelo's impairment 'extreme,' investigating officers reported
By Brian Maass, Cbs4 News
Published April 16, 2008 at 11 p.m.
Updated April 17, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
La La Vasquez, fiancee of Carmelo Anthony, attends the Denver Nuggets game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.
Photo by Denver Police Department
Carmelo Anthony's booking mug shot, taken in the early morning of April 14, 2008.
Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony's level of impairment after he was stopped by police Monday morning was described as "extreme" by investigating officers. CBS4 News obtained internal police reports that show Anthony insisted he had only "two glasses of red wine" prior to the DUI stop.
Denver police pulled Anthony over as he was driving south on Interstate 25 early Monday. He said he was driving home, according to a police sobriety report.
According to the report, Anthony "had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, bloodshot watery eyes, speech was mumbling slurred."
At times police described the 23-year-old NBA star as "polite," but at other times they said he was "sarcastic" and "uncooperative." Those involved in the case say Anthony badly failed every roadside sobriety test that was administered.
When he was asked to take nine steps, heel to toe, then turn around and take another nine steps, he forgot to perform the second half of the maneuver, according to police. CBS4 News has also learned that when he was asked to stand on one leg, he swayed, put his foot down and "gave up" telling an officer, "I don't have good balance."
After his arrest, police Sgt. Rich Coisman, a 13-year veteran, drove Anthony to the downtown Denver Ritz Carlton hotel, where Anthony's fiancee was staying. That drive has critics charging the department with providing preferential treatment to the Nuggets forward.
"I've never had a client I can recall receive that kind of treatment," said attorney Chris Cessna, who has represented hundreds of DUI suspects in Denver.
Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson acknowledged "this is not a standard practice but it is done on occasion and it is not a violation of department policy."
"It wasn't possible for (his fiancee) to pick him up at Denver Police Headquarters," Jackson said in a news release.
But according to the sobriety report and officers' accounts, Anthony's fiancee initially refused to come pick him up, telling police the couple had been fighting and there were "problems."
While police say Coisman only drove Anthony a short distance from police headquarters to the Ritz, the sobriety report obtained by CBS4 News says "Sgt. Coisman transported to home."
CBS4 News was unable to speak to Coisman about where exactly he left Anthony.
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April 17, 2008
7:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
singularity99 writes:
Anyone who makes the obscene amount of money that he does should have their own driver on the payroll, if they want to do the town and get plastered.
April 17, 2008
7:34 a.m.
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hdfresh writes:
Carmello Anthony got a DUI. Join the group. Lets move on already.
April 17, 2008
7:47 a.m.
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milloy36 writes:
Good old Sgt. Rich. He is quite a guy. Does anyone think he would do that for anyone else? Maybe he got an autograph and tickets to a game.
April 17, 2008
7:50 a.m.
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BMat writes:
He got a DUI, he got arrested at the airport w/a back pack full of weed, he's a sucker punch artist and he can't get his team past the first round of the playoffs.
I agree hdfresh - we should move on indeed!
April 17, 2008
7:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
broncosvw writes:
Common everyone grab your rock and get in line again. The snow is starting to melt and its going to be a great day to bash Melo!
April 17, 2008
8:08 a.m.
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Fred writes:
My friend was new to Denver and a passenger in a car when the driver was pulled over for speeding and charged with DUI.
The cop arrested the driver and left the passenger on the side of Santa Fe between Florida and Evans at 1:00am, in winter.
My friend had no cell and no idea where he was. He walked south until he found a pay phone to call but he still had no idea how to tell me where he was. It took me an hour and a half to get there and find him. He was nearly frozen.
The next day I went to bail out the idiot who got the DUI. I politely asked the officer at the front desk if it was standard procedure to leave a passenger on the side of the road in the dark with no coat, cell phone or understanding of where they are located.
I was insulted by the officer and told that I shouldn’t “associate” with such people.
He insisted that it was my friends fault for putting himself in the situation. (although he wasn’t driving)
I guess if my friend would have had a better jump shot he would have had better success getting a ride.
Now I’m certainly not a drunk driver apologist and I’ve never been convicted of one. But the low standards that MADD has force down our throats will make convicts out of all of us.
Think I’m wrong? Pete Coors blew less then .08 in his own darn driveway and was charged.
I’m not saying that drunk driving is OK or acceptable in any way. But I can have a lot more then 2 beers in an hour and won’t have the slightest buzz and my judgment is not impaired. That being said….I don’t go out anymore anyway.
Too many nanny rules and the mischief going on after 12:00 is enough to keep me away.
April 17, 2008
8:28 a.m.
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broncosvw writes:
MrsA100's judgement was extremely impaired waaaay before she got up this morning.
April 17, 2008
8:28 a.m.
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mjcmdc writes:
How could you tell his speech was slurrrrred. He must be drunk every time he speaks in that case. Why do you think they call him melo. What a loser.
April 17, 2008
8:36 a.m.
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Squatch writes:
He made a foolish & dangerous mistake but once agian he has apologized maybe not to the extreme some wanted but he is a young guy hopefully he learned from it. I think it is crap though that they brought up his personal relationship issues up that is nobodys business.
Would it have been better for him to have been arrested for domestic violence when him and his wife were arguing? like The GREAT PATRICK ROY.
He made a mistake get over it. Once again i can gaurantee their are only a few of us commenting on here that have NEVER driven drunk. Doesnt make it right but it is a fact.
April 17, 2008
8:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
RightOn writes:
I agree with MrsA.
RockyMtn HIGH...what are YOU smoking so early?
Anthony is a washout. An embarrassment to himself, the team and the community.
April 17, 2008
8:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
RightOn writes:
OH FUNNY! It's not rkymtnhigh it's rkymNThigh. You abreviated your own name wrong You really are high!!!!!
April 17, 2008
9:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
HolierThanThou writes:
I believe that I have seen and heard about enough of this uninteresting story. Please, quit wasting time and space on it.
The space would be better used for a story that has an actual impact on people's lives other than one hapless drunk who knows how to dunk a basketball.
April 17, 2008
9:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
jackt writes:
Normal people go to detox, then have to do daily Sh!t to take care of a DUI. it's the biggest cash cow law inforcement have. Ive paid two thousand since november but still have a warrent because I'm behind in court payments. I like cops but not the policies that drive them.
April 17, 2008
9:21 a.m.
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fishtanksamurai writes:
Preferential treatment is the story here.
April 17, 2008
9:22 a.m.
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Squatch writes:
The same Preferential treatment that all rich people get.
April 17, 2008
9:27 a.m.
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italiantony writes:
OK so he got a DUI. what was he thinking?!? he should have been up in the mountains raping women instead... that seems to go over much better then a DUI... then in a couple of years maybe every one will be screaming HIS name for NBA MVP. or maybe if he goes out and scores 81 points in a game that will make it all better.You all act like he's this monster criminal... what really has he done that any of you have not? I've had beers at a bar and drove home, I've have been around weed or "in possesion" of weed at some point in time, I've been in a fight. get off it. He's still got some growing up to do... let him do it.
April 17, 2008
9:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
01kayak10 writes:
Everyone is up in arms that a celebrity got preferential treatment. Get a grip...it's how it works. I would say it the exact opposite of preferential treatment that his DUI is on the front page of the news since it happened. Anyone with any clout does not go to detox as they are put in a much more dangerous environment than you or I who nobody cares about. Be good at something other than critiquing others and maybe you all will start getting some of this treatment you are all so glaringly jealous of. Stay-at-home moms and Boy Scout Leaders seemingly refuse to accept that people of fame get perks and people of all walks of life can get in a car after drinking and drive. He got a DUI. It sucks. It was stupid. Go to the courthouse this afternoon and see how many people are sitting on a bench waiting for the ruling on their arrest. You all hate what Carmelo has done yet want to isolate his incident as if it was an in-human mistake. Pull off the blinders people before you hit someone! Money does not buy perfection.
April 17, 2008
9:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
TIMMAH writes:
I would love to be the official sober driver for all the Denver athletes. Brandon Marshall, give me a call. Carmello, call me no problem. Kenyon, Tulo, Stastny, Champ, Boss, anyone..just call me and I'll come pick you up. No problem, it would be my pleasure. I got a DUI a while back and it's no fun. I could maybe get community service hours for driving my Denver players home after they got faded. I'm just here to help.
April 17, 2008
9:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
holekeeper writes:
First I would like to say,I used to work at Dencer Cares Community Detox and sue to his role as a public figure he would have been refused for the safety of the facility, other patitents, staff and himself. He however would have been refered to the hospital. There are rules though. I dont know if this is Preferential treatment I dont know enough about the Sgt. (sounds like it though) I mean he should have had to get a ride from the police station(from a friend) Now can we all move on?
April 17, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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fishtanksamurai writes:
Apologists
April 17, 2008
10:10 a.m.
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JustSayin writes:
I don't see the point in bashing the cops for being decent to Melo. What we should be demanding is that cops be considerate to all the citizens they work for!
April 17, 2008
10:20 a.m.
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nobodyman writes:
Why do people keep saying "he just made a mistake"? This guy has made A LOT of mistakes. When do you stop forgiving these mistakes? Looks like a thug, acts like a thug, maybe he's a thug.
April 17, 2008
10:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
hlucki writes:
LOL..Slurred speech..what else is new. No balance..maybe he should wear pants that fit instead of the gangster attire. I'm surprised he didn't tell the cops the wine he drank was friends and he didn;t know anything about it. This guy is a waste of time. He should grow up. He says he's going to man up to his mistake??? How many times has he said something similar? This guy is in the public ey, kids look up to him and he acts like the loser he is. I have no sympathy for the jerk. The Nuggets are luck they are where they are...Thanks you Alan Iverson for getting them there. Smell-o Anthony only has time to come up with apologies. Since they are playing the Lakers, he and Kpby can exchange excuses so both will have some new material.
April 17, 2008
10:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
BMat writes:
Posted by Squatch on April 17, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again i can gaurantee their are only a few of us commenting on here that have NEVER driven drunk. Doesnt make it right but it is a fact.
_____________________
So if your logic proves true then Melo has driven drunk many, many more times than he's been arrested for it, which is once. Which means it's NOT just one mistake is it?
Not the best way to defend your hero. Gaaawd, with friends like sasquatch who needs enemas?
April 17, 2008
10:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
rpmcmurphy writes:
One reason I avoid going into Denver is because of the cops. Rich athlete gets preferential treatment, joe average gets pulled over and searched for 2 hours because 1 of 2 lights to illuminate the license plate is out. I bet there are tens of thousands of folks who never go to Denver, and never spend a dime in Denver because they are afraid of getting punked by the police. I stay home if I am gonna drink too.
April 17, 2008
10:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
MaxInEnglewood writes:
Ewww bigots are in full force today. Work much?
April 17, 2008
10:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
BMat writes:
He MUST have been completely wasted, right?
We can rule out defensive driving, since Melo doesn't even know what defense is . . .
April 17, 2008
10:59 a.m.
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Squatch writes:
Bmax - That can be said for everybody when you go out and have 2 beers and leave right away you will fail a breathlizer and that would make you over the limit. He was obviously drunker than that so he deserves to pay the price but as many offenders find out that means you pay fines. once again most people who get DUI's dont get their name in the paper for 4 straight days so his treatment has gone both ways.
nobodyman- he fits in perfect in denver with all the legalize pot people, as far as the snitch tape, If you have a friend who likes to drop the N-Bomb does that make you a racist?
He is a young guy that needs to surround himself with people that care about him NOT people who care who he is.
April 17, 2008
12:39 p.m.
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MRSTTYLER writes:
I AM TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT CARMELO LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE PLEASE.
April 17, 2008
1 p.m.
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joggle writes:
There's no excuse for drunk driving. If you're drunk, get a cab. It's that easy. Other countries (like Japan) are extremely tough on drunk driving, much more so than we are. Doesn't stop people from getting drunk though, as many do weekly if not more often. They just hop (or fall) into a cab afterwards. It's really not that hard.
April 17, 2008
1:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
BillDeville writes:
Oh by the way...they didn't even impound or search his car (which is standard procedure for us common folk). Guess we'll never know which one of Melo's "friends" left a bag of weed in the glove box.
April 17, 2008
1:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
nobodyman writes:
Calling someone a thug makes me a bigot? I find that comment racist. I am offended by the presumption that calling somebody a thug has anything to do with race. All races are capable of being thugs!
You racist folks disgust me!
April 17, 2008
2:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
samsmargolis writes:
"It wasn't possible for (his fiancee) to pick him up at Denver Police Headquarters," Jackson said in a news release.
That's why there's detox....
I didn't notice how DPD had snuck in a Ritz Carlton Shuttle logo onto their squad cars. Funny how Sonny Jackson didn't host a media gathering to announce that as a new public service for future DUIs. How does the Ritz rates compare to the detox housing rates, by the way?
April 17, 2008
2:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
BMat writes:
Ya know if you wear a white lab coat and a stethoscope I might think you're a doctor.
Melo wears ultra-baggy jeans, gleaming white sneakers and a cock-eyed baseball cap perched atop his dew rag. Coupled with his arrest record is it all that hard to draw the thug parallel?
Don't get dressed up like a sailor every morning and wonder why everyone thinks you're in the Navy.
April 17, 2008
2:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
GWM writes:
mrsttyler, you posted on a thread you do not want to read!?!!!? Whazzup with that?
April 17, 2008
3:47 p.m.
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BillDeville writes:
Melo Melo...you not a very smart fellow
April 17, 2008
3:59 p.m.
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mandzoco writes:
It's Protect and $erve . . ., if you are 1.) an athlete. 2.) have a significant amount of money. 3.) You make large donations to the various police charities. 4.) Your related to the Mayor, Manager of Safety etc, if your ever stopped for a traffic violation it goes away.
If you are 1.) common working class. 2.) have limited money. 3.) no relationship to the Mayor, etc. 5.) spend you hard earned paycheck to watch millionaires play a kid's game, if your stopped for a traffic violation you're going to get a citation and/or go to jail/detox.
It's a fact of life, accept it. Until all rules and laws are truly fairly applied the prefential trreatment that 'melo' recieved will go on. . .anyone remember a QB who was stopped for speeding?? A baseball player stopped for DUI, 'melo' is just another one in the long line of DPD looking the other way when your 'famous'. Gee, I wonder if the good Sgt. is on duty tomorrow night, cause I'll need a ride home.
April 17, 2008
4:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
gcrez writes:
check out his mug shot, he's blazed! Did they check his blood for reefer?
April 17, 2008
5:10 p.m.
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MattGuyver_007 writes:
I wish the cops treated everyone with the same respect shown to Mr. Anthony- then it wouldn't be considered 'preferential'. Of course this can only be expected when [you] show the cops respect.
All too often cops antagonize suspects which almost always worsens the situation.
April 17, 2008
7:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
dano writes:
Chris Cessna is a punk. He'll always be a punk. Melo often is a moron and should be treated as such. La La Vasquez needs to get a job. Maybe where Melo goes, so does she, as a driver and domestic trash ho. Melo needs a pre-nup. He might end up like David Thompson except he'll still be rich.
April 17, 2008
9:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
kevin3 writes:
If I were as ugly as Melo, I would be a drunk also.
April 17, 2008
10:57 p.m.
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kevin3 writes:
I will never forget the Denver cop who gave me two choices when he found me passed out in my parked car (after driving a short way from a party) from being too drunk to drive. Of course I was respectful and honest with the cop. He told me I can go to jail right now for driving drunk or I can catch a cab home. Guess which choice I chose! Since then I either drink at home, find a sober one to drive me, or catch public transportation when I am too drunk to drive. To that cop who caught me that night...I say thank you very much!
April 18, 2008
12:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nostrashawnus writes:
The guy made a stupid mistake. Hmm...rich and uneducated. I mean, come on people....what do you expect out of these guys? They aren't brain surgeons. Most of them that do actually graduate from college have something like a basket weaving degree. He did something stupid because he doesn't know any better. Now, having said that, hopefully I will be the last post of this nonsense.