OFFICER SAYS HE ACTED PROPERLY IN SEARCH

PUNTA GORDA -- A city police officer testified Wednesday to finding vodka,
marijuana and a pipe while searching for keys to the then-city attorney's
sport utility vehicle after the attorney was taken to the hospital.

At a pretrial hearing in the Charlotte County Courthouse, Officer Anthony
Pribble said he followed proper procedures after witnesses saw Thomas P.
McLennon slumped over the wheel of his vehicle and called the police.

That call, in July, resulted in the arrest of McLennon on charges of
driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and possession of drug
paraphernalia.

McLennon was found incoherent outside City Hall. Breath tests conducted at
the county jail showed that he had a blood-alcohol level more than three
times the level at which drivers are considered intoxicated.

McLennon's attorney, Robert Koch, told the court Wednesday that Pribble
illegally searched the SUV. Koch has filed a motion to suppress evidence
and to dismiss the case.

The state attorney's office would not comment because the case is pending.
The hearing will continue today at 10 a.m.