By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — A video played in court Tuesday showed East Harlem Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV taking several early morning sobriety tests on March 6, 2008, when he was arrested for drunk driving.
Dressed in jeans an a black blazer, Powell walked along a yellow line, pivoted without stumbling and touched his nose with his eyes closed, the footage shows.
Although his motor skills appeared intact, he was charged with drunk driving after refusing a second Breathalyzer test at the 28th Precinct.
A first test conducted on the Henry Hudson Parkway after Powell was pulled over resulted in a .07 reading, which is below the .08 legal limit for intoxicated driving. Prosecutors contend that Powell altered the test by not breathing hard enough, and they say the NYPD's roadside equipment was not properly calibrated.
"I'm going to offer you a second test," the arresting officer said on camera at the precinct.
"What happened with the first test?" Powell asked.
When the Assemblyman was told he would be detained overnight pending an arraignment, he tried to change his mind, according to the video shown at the pre-trial hearing.
"I've got to wait to see the judge?" Powell said. "Oh you've got to be kidding me. You know what, I'll take the test."
"It's a little to late," the arresting officer said.
"This has gone way too far," Powell responded.
The Harlem political scion had watery eyes, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol when he was stopped on the parkway at W. 82nd Street for allegedly "operating the vehicle in an unsteady and abrupt manner," according to the criminal complaint.
Powell lost a last minute bid to have the charges against him dismissed on Tuesday, the eve of his trial where he'll face a driving while intoxicated misdemeanor charge and a violation for refusing the second test.
At trial, Powell will face a driving while intoxicated charge and a violation for refusing the second test when his trial opens Wednesday morning.
Jury selection trial wrapped up on Monday, and opening statements are set for Wednesday morning.
