Jury hears testimony in traffic offense trial

A Chickasaw Point man went on trial today in the Oconee General Sessions Court, charged with traffic offenses that arose from an accident 14 months ago near Westminster. Russell Alan Tupper is charged with driving under the influence, driving under suspension, and habitual traffic offender. According to assistant solicitor Beth Blundy, Tupper was charged by the highway patrol after his car left the Armstrong Road January 16, 2014 and ended up in a ditch. In an opening statement to the jury, Blundy said the investigating state trooper smelled alcohol and noticed Tupper was unsteady on his feet. But defense attorney Russell Patrick said Tupper insists that he was not driving. The state presented Gene Gravley, a passing motorist who stopped to help, as its first prosecution witness.