Tuesday, November 7th 2023, 9:22 pm
A former Payne County teacher charged with being drunk on the job is back in jail. This time she's accused of being drunk in court.
Three months after Kimberly Coates was suspected of drinking in her Payne County classroom, she appeared in court Monday for a hearing stemming from the arrest. Shortly thereafter Coates was arrested again.
In August body camera footage captured officials with Perkins Public Schools and police confronting Kimberly Coates--who they suspected had been drinking.
School: Just observing you in the classroom, it looks like something is off a little bit.
School: Did you drink something while you were here at school?
Despite Coates’ claims of only having one drink a breathalyzer test and evidence proved otherwise.
Police: You blew like a .24.
Coates: I don't know what that means.
Police: The legal limit is .08.
School: Okay, no more games. What's in that?
Coates: My juice?
Police: Want to try again? That there is wine.
Throughout the video Coates is heard slurring her words and appears unsteady on her feet. But despite her arrest and termination from her teaching position three months later, court records show Coats arrived at the courthouse in a similar state.
A deputy noted Coates was "unsteady and weaving, her speech slow and slurred, and her eyes glazed. "
The deputy also observed Coates using "both the railing and wall to steady herself."
Despite obvious signs of intoxication investigators said Coates only admitted to having a single alcoholic drink in the morning. Coates was arrested on a complaint of public intoxication.
While in court Monday Coates pleaded guilty to the original public intoxication charge and then changed her mind. It is a misdemeanor crime.
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