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CHASE TO BE TREATED AS MISDEMEANOR

By Ray King/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Monday, June 29, 2009 11:24 PM CDT

A chase by a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy Saturday that resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old female was referred to District Court Monday, although she was told that prosecutors could consider felony charges later.

During a court hearing Monday, Circuit Judge Jodi Dennis told Trisha Funderburg that she could be charged with felony fleeing, and felony criminal mischief, after investigators determine the damage Funderburg caused when she drove through a field of crops.

Sheriff’s Investigator Fred Green told Deputy Prosecutor Jill Reed that he was contacted by Deputy Randy Jackson about Funderburg, who Jackson had arrested for DUI and other charges.

Green said Jackson had been sent to Tucker where Funderburg’s mother reported that her daughter had taken her car without permission, and when Jackson tried to stop the car, Funderburg initially refused to stop, and drove across a field, damaging part of the crop being grown there.

He said deputies have not been able to locate the owner of the field to determine the amount of damage Funderburg caused, and the other charges against her, including DUI and no seat belt will be handled in district court.

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