Physician found not guilty
Published 9:18 am Saturday, December 17, 2011
Dr. Danny Hood, who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, has been found not guilty of all charges.
Hood, 62, was arrested by Greenville Police Aug. 6 following a two-vehicle accident on Fort Dale Road. He was found not guilty by District Court Judge McDonald Russell Nov. 3.
Documents filed with the District Court of Butler County state the case was decided on stipulation of the facts.
A stipulation is an agreement made between opposing parties prior to a hearing or trial. For example, both parties might stipulate to certain facts, and therefore not have to argue those facts in court. After the stipulation is entered into, it is presented to the judge for a ruling.
The Greenville Advocate requested a copy of the stipulation, which the circuit clerk’s office said was not in the case file, from both District Court Judge McDonald Russell and Butler County District Attorney John Andrews. Russell referred the Advocate to Andrews, but Andrews refused to release the document saying it was a “witch hunt” on the part of the Advocate.
“Do not contact my office,” Andrews said when reached by phone about the case. “I am not going to give you any information on anything we are working on. If you want to sue the district attorney’s office, have at it.”
Messages left with Hood’s attorney McGowin Williamson seeking comment were not returned. Hood also declined to comment when reached by phone.