Janet Hinds
The former Soddy Daisy postmaster charged in the hit-and-run death of City Officer Nicholas Galinger denied at a hearing Monday that she had been drinking alcohol while on home confinement.
Janet Hinds, who is charged with vehicular homicide and other charges in connection with the tragic incident on Hamill Road in Hixson, had tested positive for alcohol on a drug screen, her county probation officer said. She also failed to call into probation one night as required.
Prosecutor Cameron Williams said it was a serious violation in a very serious case, and he asked that her $153,000 bond be increased.
Judge Don Poole said he was most concerned that Ms. Hines had not called in as required. He said he did not want to further raise her bond and he said she is under about as many restrictions as are available. He withheld judgment until the next hearing date on July 11.
Attorney Ben McGowan said the alcohol reading could have been a false positive related to consumption of oriental food with soy sauce as well as a daily course of pickles and cheese sticks.
Probation Shannon McDonald said Ms. Hinds is confined to her home except for certain approved visits. She is not allowed to drive and cannot have alcohol or drugs. She is subject to random screenings. She said Ms. Hinds is allowed to work, but is currently not employed.
The probation officer said when she did not hear from Ms. Hinds as required on June 20, she called and told her to come in the next day for a drug screen. She said that urine test was sent off to a lab and came back June 27 as positive for alcohol.
She said if the level is very low, it is not reported to the court. However, she said the Hinds result was high enough to notify Judge Poole.
Attorney McGowan said the level was listed at 1,674 nanograms per mililiter. He said that is on the low side of a low of 300 and a high of 25,000.
Ms. Hinds, 55, said tearfully, "I can't go out of my house. I can't go to my mail box. I can't go out to the garbage. I can't go on my deck. I don't go anywhere without a ride."
She said she "forgot to call" probation on the 20th. She said on Friday she did not hear a call made to her by Ms. McDonald, and she said she was awakened by police officers banging on her door. The officers took her into custody and she was held at the Silverdale jail over the weekend. She will remain there until the hearing.
She said the alcohol had been removed from her home earlier.