By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

A man appeared in Peachtree City Municipal Court last week to face charges stemming from an auto accident that wasn't even his fault.

Mark Stevens Gilmore pled nolo contendre to marijuana possession and was given a $1,235 fine. He also was advised to check with the Georgia Department of Public Safety to see if the offense merited an automatic suspension of his driver's license.

Gilmore was rear-ended recently while driving in Peachtree City, and the ensuing investigation at the accident scene uncovered the marijuana. Police indicated that there was no evidence of any unsafe driving on his part.

A charge of driving under the influence was dismissed.

In an unrelated case, John Steed saw his charge of driving under the influence reduced to reckless driving, for which he pled nolo, and he also faced a charge of underage alcohol possession.

Police answering an anonymous call about a black Honda turning over portable restrooms in the middle of the night stopped Steed's vehicle, which did not match that description. He registered .04 grams on a breath test, and was under the age of 21, but due to questions about probable cause to make the stop, the city recommended the reduced charge.

Steed received a $920 fine for reckless driving and a $500 fine for underage alcohol possession. He also is required to attend a two-day seminar related to the alcohol possession.

Robert DiFrancisco received first-offender status on charges of resisting and obstruction of an officer. When police answered a domestic call at his home involving his two sisters, DiFrancisco verbally resisted the officers and placed his hands on one of them, necessitating his arrest, according to testimony.

He was fined $250 and given six months probation.

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