Former City Cop Facing DUI Charge Waives Preliminary Hearing
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A former Pittsburgh Police officer found himself on the other side of the law this morning.
Pittsburgh Police Officer Vernon Gibson didn't say a word to the media this morning and let his lawyer do all the talking, after waiving his preliminary hearing.
Gibson is facing a DUI charge after allegedly coming to work drunk in December.
"I don't know how the case is going to proceed from here. I will say that we just felt that it was in our best interest and in Mr. Gibson's best interest to waive the case to the Court of Common Pleas," defense attorney Tom Tomasic said.
According to court documents, Gibson showed up to work at the Warrant Office at Pittsburgh Municipal Court smelling of alcohol with slurred speech. It was noticed by a sergeant.
He was taken to UPMC Mercy for a breath test and the lowest reading was .128.
"Obviously, Mr. Gibson is going through a tough time in his life right now. He is doing everything he can to get better and move on with his life," Tomasic said.
Following the DUI charge, Gibson was suspended for five days and was then terminated on Jan 3. Back in 2011, Gibson was transferred to the Warrant Office after being charged with felony insurance fraud.
Prior to that, he had been an officer with Zone One on the North Side.
"He has an utmost amount of respect for the Pittsburgh Police and for the institution that he's been so fortunate to be a part of for the last several years," Tomasic said.
Gibson's next court appearance is scheduled for May 1.
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