No charges filed yet against Sen. Graham

COLUMBIA — Drunken driving charges against Sen. Chuck Graham had not been filed as of Friday.

Graham, D-Columbia, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and careless and imprudent driving Oct. 20 after Columbia police said he was involved in a three-car accident in south Columbia.

Graham’s first scheduled court appearance was delayed Thursday because he already had an attorney. That attorney, Robert Murray, said until charges are filed in the case, nothing could happen in court.

Murray said the special prosecutor appointed to the case, Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Richardson, could file charges now or wait to file charges until he receives a report from the lab.

“We don’t have the results yet,” Columbia police Capt. Stephen Monticelli said. “It takes at least two weeks and sometimes longer, depending on how busy the lab is.”

Under Missouri law, the prosecutor has up to a year to file a DWI charge, Murray said.

Murray said he couldn’t discuss whether Graham will fight the case without knowing how strong it is.