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49 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 19, 2003 Former Medford cop to stand trial By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune A former Medford police detective stands trial this week on charges of drunken driving. A jury will decide if Ray Leach, 54, of the 3100 block of Delta Waters Road, Medford, was intoxicated when his Harley-Davidson motorcycle struck a concrete barrier near the Rogue Valley Mall in June 2001. Earlier this year, Leach was convicted in connection with a 2002 drunken driving crash and spent 10 days in jail. Although Leach pleaded guilty in January to the most recent DUII charge, this week’s trial comes as a result of both cases. The former detective had entered a diversion program to keep the first charge out of court. That agreement, however, was revoked when Leach drove his car into a parked police cruiser about a year later. He refused a breath test after that crash. Attorneys this time will debate Leach’s blood-alcohol level, which was measured at .08 percent — Oregon’s legal limit — more than three hours after the first crash. Seriously hurt, Leach was unconscious at the time his blood was drawn for evidence in the case. He spent several days at Providence Medford Medical Center. Advertisement Fellow Harley rider Guy Knorr testified Tuesday that Leach was the only one in a group of about 10 bikers who failed to turn right onto Crater Lake Highway from Riverside Avenue, instead driving straight into the median. Leach drank several Corona beers while hanging out at Haba�ero’s Mexican restaurant with other bikers before heading to Touvelle Lodge in Central Point around 9:45 p.m., witnesses said. Leach’s defense attorney Peter Carini pointed out that the intersection of Crater Lake and North Pacific highways was under construction when the crash happened, hinting at a theory he will later present to explain why Leach flipped his motorcycle. The prosecution will not be able to prove Leach’s level of intoxication at the time of the wreck, Carini said. Although several Medford police officers testified for the prosecution Tuesday, Oregon State Police took charge of the criminal investigation to prevent a conflict of interest. An internal investigation by Medford police revealed that Leach violated department policy by drinking and driving. After the second crash, Leach resigned from his post with the Medford Police Department before a second internal investigation was to begin. A Medford officer since 1987, Leach no longer works in law enforcement. The trial is set to run through Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times