MILLERSBURG — A Holmes County man last week pleaded not guilty to his eighth drunken driving charge. Edward E. Mitten, 48, of 6867 Township Road 309, Millersburg, is charged in Holmes County Municipal Court with two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, no seat belt and left of center. Seven times previously — in November 1984 (as a juvenile), January 1988, August 1996, August 1998, December 1999, September 2007 and May 2008 — Mitten has been convicted of drunken driving. Typically, prior convictions can enhance the charge and penalties for subsequent convictions; however, his prior convictions are outside the look back period for both, the offense is a first-degree misdemeanor, according to Lt. Stephanie Norman, commander of the Wooster Post …show more content…
“It 's unfortunate that he 's made these poor decisions,” she said, adding, “Somehow, he 's been very lucky he hasn 't hurt himself or someone else. “You hope somebody learns, through the court process, not to make these mistakes. I 'm not sure what it will take for Mr. Mitten not to make these mistakes,” she said. Enforcing the state 's drunken driving laws, which prohibit driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 and above, is a priority for the state patrol, said Norman. “It 's one of those things that can easily be stopped. It 's the consequences we worry about. You don 't want to see someone 's life affected by it.” The consequences, she said, can be financial, emotional and physical. And, unfortunately, they can affect the lives of more than just the offender. “A fatal crash happens, and a lot of times the person at fault is not injured at all and walks away. Maybe they 'll get a jail sentence, but you have someone else who is affected for the rest of their life.” In the case of Mitten, she said, “I 'm happy we were able to stop him