Poppy Seed Defense Works on DUI Charge

Poppy seed defense works on DUI charge

CHICAGO, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- A suburban Chicago man managed to get out of a driving under the influence charge stemming from a fatal accident by saying the poppy seeds did it.

Charles Hausberg, 20, of Lake Forest, was convicted of making an illegal U-turn but was acquitted of the more serious DUI charge by successfully arguing the opiate detected in his blood and urine came from eating poppy seed muffins, not taking morphine.

"The court cannot say that the only cause for this could be the ingestion of an illegal drug," said Lake County Associate Judge Patrick Lawler in rendering his verdict Monday, the Chicago Tribune reported. "The court has no alternative but to find this young man not guilty."

Hausberg was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and fined $500. He also must attend a victim impact panel and substance abuse program.

Joshua Rothstein, 15, of Wilmette, was killed in an accident that resulted from Hausberg's U-turn.

Source: United Press International