Oxford Ambulance Association Director Jerome “Jerry” Schwab appeared in Superior Court in Derby Monday for his driving under the influence case, despite having “reached a resolution” for the charges.
Schwab’s case was continued to March 9.
But what happened at court Monday and the reason for the continuance remain unknown because the contents of Schwab’s file are statutorily sealed from the public.
That means the details of the case are no longer public. It’s a situation that most often occurs when a defendant applies for a pre-trial diversionary program, such as the alcohol education program.
Schwab was a member of the Oxford Board of Education at the time of his arrest. He is also the president of the board of directors of the Valley Emergency Medical Services.
Schwab’s attorney, Dominick Thomas, declined Tuesday to comment on any of the details of the case, but reiterated that they had “reached a resolution in the matter.”
That’s also what Thomas said on Feb. 2, when the details of the case were initially closed to the public.
Rescheduled Court Date
Schwab was originally scheduled to appear in court on March 2: Thomas said he rescheduled the appearance late last week do to a conflict.
“Everything was done for my convenience,” Thomas said.
Instead, Schwab appeared at Superior Court in Derby on Monday, March 1.
Reporters were unaware of the reschedule. However, Schwab’s name did not appear on the regular docket posted in the court house Monday. Thomas said Schwab was on an add-on docket — a list of late additions to the regularly scheduled docket.
Prosecutors have declined to comment on the case in the past and were unable to be reached for comment Tuesday.
Schwab did not return calls for comment.
It’s not clear why Schwab’s case has been continued twice since Feb. 2.
“We have to complete it through the court,” Thomas said, without giving any further details about the continuances.
While she couldn’t comment on the specific case, Deputy Chief Clerk Lisa Groody said sometimes cases are continued after an application to a pre-trial diversionary program. It might happen if other aspects of the case are being worked out, or if a defendant is getting together money for a program fee.
Groody said if an application to a pre-trial program is denied, the case becomes available to the public again.
Successful completion of a pre-trial diversionary program, which run from 10 to 15 weeks, can wipe the charges off a defendant’s record.
Background
Schwab was pulled over by Ansonia police when he allegedly swerved and ran a light in the area of Olson Drive and Bridge Street on July 3.
Schwab was driving a 2007 Ford Expedition, which has an Oxford town plate and is insured by the Town of Oxford. The vehicle is used by Schwab in his position as the director of the ambulance association.
According to the police report, Schwab told police he was just driving around, on his way to meet a friend. Police said they smelled alcohol on his breath and his eyes were very bloodshot, according to the report.
The report noted that Schwab failed sobriety tests performed at the scene. He was given a Breathalyzer test, which registered zero.
Police also administered a urine test the night of Schwab’s arrest, but the results have never been made public.
Shortly after the arrest, Schwab contended that he was having a bout of hypoglycemia, brought on by the medical condition hypoglycemia.