Patchogue / Medford, NY - January 17, 2017 - A Holtsville man shot by a Suffolk County Police officer after resisting arrest and dragging the officer during a traffic stop early Sunday morning pleaded not guilty to DWI and other charges at a hospital arraignment today, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.
Published reports describe defendant Michael Shear, 34, in “stable condition” recovering from a gunshot wound in his shoulder. District Judge Stephen L. Ukeiley presided at Shear’s arraignment today in Stony Brook University Hospital. The defendant pleaded not guilty to DWI, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment in the second degree and fleeing an officer.
According to police the driver during the initial traffic stop in Patchogue near Waverly Avenue briefly dragged the Highway Patrol officer in an attempt to drive away; a chased ended approximately three miles away in Medford when police units were able to surround Shear as he drove on Ocean Avenue. Police said Shear was shot once by the officer after the chase when he refused to comply with the officer’s commands and resisted arrest.
Shear refused a blood-alcohol test. Suffolk County crime lab testing of the defendant’s blood acquired via warrant showed Shear had blood-alcohol level of .22; nearly three times the legal limit.
Judge Ukeiley set cash bail for Shear at $75,000 or $150,000 bond.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.