The Grande Dame has been found guilty. After The Real Housewives of Potomac‘s Karen Huger had to face tough eyewitness testimony during her two-day trial, she was found guilty of five out of six counts, including DUI, on Dec. 18.
Huger, 61, crashed her 2017 Maserati in Potomac, Maryland earlier this spring. The reality star attributed drinking and driving to anticipating grieving the loss of her mother as she anxiously awaited the Mother’s Day holiday. As Season 9 of the Bravo reality series unfolds, she’s been mum about the ordeal as she fights the case in real time. She pleaded not guilty.
Witness testimony and damaging body cam video
Fox 5 reports one man who witnessed the wreckage testified in court that the car smelled of alcohol. Another witness who testified in court included a volunteer EMT who responded that night, as well as two police officers. The EMT told the jury Huger refused treatment on the scene and “swayed” as she tried to get into the ambulance. When outside of the ambulance, she testified Huger cursed at first responders, telling them to “f**k off” and “go f**k yourselves.” She allegedly later complimented an EMT, telling her, “You’re so pretty, and you’re so beautiful.”
Body camera footage was also shown in court, which Huger previously tried getting thrown out. The arresting officer can be heard telling Huger on camera that she’s “hammered,” as she appeared to slur her speech in the cruiser. “This is bulls**t,” Huger is heard saying. “I hate you, you know that?” The footage was later released online and showed her husband, Ray Huger, trying to keep her quiet as he dealt with first responders. He admitted to police that she’d had too much to drink as she had trouble with her slurring speech.
In the police car, Karen tells an officer that Andy Cohen coined her as “The Grand Dame,” which triggered a laugh. While at the local police station, she curses further and tells officers that she’s “Thomas Jefferson’s concubine.” Huger also makes reference to how rich she is and tells an officer that he’s poor and white.
Huger’s lawyer previously tried to have the case dismissed
Huger’s attorney previously tried to get the case dismissed by claiming the evidence collected was a result of an illegal search and seizure. In response, prosecutors filed a motion stating some of the statements made by Huger were made while medical professionals were trying to treat her and not during a custodial interrogation. This is her second DUI. She faces up two years in prison and sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29.
How Huger created to being found guilty
In a statement, Huger’s attorney Scott Bolden told People, “Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case. We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.”
