Trial delayed in state lawmaker's drunken driving case

DES MOINES - The drunken driving trial for a Waterloo state lawmaker has been delayed until next month.

Rep. Kerry Burt, D-Waterloo, is charged with first-offense operating while intoxicated after a Feb. 11 arrest. Burt's trial had been scheduled for this week, but has been pushed back to Aug. 24.

District Associate Judge Odell McGhee recently threw out evidence in Burt's case, including the results of a chemical breath test that Burt allegedly failed.

McGhee ruled that police officials should have informed Burt his commercial driver's license could be revoked.

Burt, 44, was laid off from his job with Waterloo Fire Rescue after losing his license.

According to McGhee's ruling, police observed Burt driving with only one functioning headlight before his arrest.

Burt told the officer he had been involved in an accident and that his vehicle had struck a concrete median on Interstate 35, court documents said.