Man faces jail for driving mower while drunk

PONTIAC (AP) -- A Detroit-area man charged with driving drunk on a riding lawn mower after an arrest recorded on police video faces at least 45 days in jail after pleading guilty. The Detroit News reports 47-year-old Roy Walton entered the plea Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court to operating while intoxicated, his third such offense. Judge Wendy Potts told Walton jail time was expected because of his prior record. Defense lawyer John Secrest sought a 30-day suspended sentence. He told Potts that jail "seemed like a harsh penalty for driving a lawn mower." Outside court, Walton said he was a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan and called the case "upsetting." Walton is free ahead of sentencing May 15. Authorities say Walton rode the mower to a drug store March 22. Published: Fri, Apr 12, 2013