Lucas
An intoxicated Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, was out for a post-crash midnight stroll on the streets of Seymour on May 31 when his special treatment began.
Lucas had driven his 2012 Toyota Tundra down the embankment off State Road 11, through a guardrail, onto and across all three lanes of Interstate 65, then into another guardrail, in the process flattening three tires. He then drove his clobbered truck on its rims the wrong way up the exit ramp, and for 3 miles back toward Seymour before the truck, in his words, “crapped out.”
When it did, Lucas parked it behind a carpet store. Seymour police found him walking.
“I recognize you, what’s your name?” a Seymour officer says on body cam video before Lucas identifies himself. When officers ask what he’s doing, Lucas says, “just walking.” Chatting ensues. When an officer consensually pulls a gun from the pocket of Lucas’ shorts, Lucas advises there’s a round in the chamber. “It’s no good otherwise,” an officer says. Lucas later says there’s a gun in his truck too, “nothing illegal.”
“See, I wouldn’t expect you to do anything illegal, that would be shocking,” a Seymour officer says at one point in body cam video from Lucas’ stop, which will be forever accessible through a Google search.
Sitting in a ditch waiting for State Police to arrive, lawmaker Lucas philosophizes, “The law is not a barometer of morality.”
For the next 12 days, no charges were filed, and Lucas said nothing. Then, on Monday, the justice system moved with sudden, lightning speed on Lucas’ behalf in another instance of special treatment. Lucas appeared in court with his attorney and a plea agreement signed, sealed and delivered by Jackson County Prosecutor Jeff Chalfant, which, incredibly, was entered at the same hearing where charges were filed for the first time. Judge Bruce MacTavish put his stamp on it. All in less than eight hours, The Republic’s Andy East reported.
This coordinated effort gave Lucas a suspended sentence, probation, and ordered restitution of roughly $4,000. Lucas also will have to submit to an alcohol and drug abuse program for evaluation. There’s nothing special about any of that, but the local legal system’s preferential treatment also gave Lucas an opportunity to save face — and, most importantly to him — his power.
How is it that Lucas’ case was adjudicated before toxicology results on his post-crash blood draw are even back from the lab? This is fishier than a tuna sandwich.
Lucas said on a conservative radio talk show the evening of his whirlwind court day that he would not resign. He was apologetic but denied he had a problem or tried to hide his truck. The hosts seemed iffy.
We said in this space a few days ago that if Lucas is convicted, he must resign. We believe that is in the public’s interest. This is not a partisan issue — Lucas’ replacement would be a Republican. That’s how the system works.
Lucas needs to focus on himself, and we hope he does. He also should put the interests of the people of his district before his political interests. The people he represents in Jackson, Bartholomew, Scott and Washington Counties need an effective representative, not a constant distraction.
The (Columbus) Republic is a sister newspaper to the Daily Reporter.
