Suspect denies drug, driving charges

Published 10:31 am Friday, August 24, 2012

An Austin woman who has not had a license since 2000 pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County Court to charges for possessing and driving under the influence of drugs.

Angella Christine Legler, 39, of Austin, pleaded not guilty to felony drug possession, gross misdemeanor DWI test refusal and misdemeanors for DWI, an uninsured vehicle and driving after cancellation.

According to the court complaint, an officer was suspicious of Legler’s appearance when she exited a store. The officer ran her license plate and discovered she is not a valid driver. The officer later stopped Legler, and Legler’s passenger fled the vehicle. Police found Bailey David Fennell, who was later convicted of fleeing an officer and sentenced to 90 days in jail.

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As officers searched Legler’s vehicle, they found 0.4 grams of methamphetamine inside of a cigarette pack. The complaint adds that Legler appeared fidgety, could not control her movements, and had dilated pupils, open sores and missing teeth. Though Legler said the meth was not hers, she said the last time she used meth was about a month ago, according to the court complaint.