Councilwoman fighting the charge

Mary Flynn is fighting her DUI charge.

On Monday (Oct. 6), her attorney, Denny Latimer, of Chico, entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf. Superior Court Judge William Lamb set a pretrial date for Nov. 17. Flynn was not required to be present for the misdemeanor arraignment.

The city councilwoman was arrested July 18 outside the Great Harvest Bread Co. on Forest Avenue, in Chico. Her car’s bumper was up against the building, off the parking area. A store employee who’d noticed her walking unsteadily had called 911.

There was no evidence of alcohol use. Blood tests later allegedly showed low levels of over-the-counter sleep and cough medication, as well as other prescription medications. District Attorney Mike Ramsey has said that the meds created an “additive effect” that impaired Flynn, which is why he filed the DUI charge.

Messages left with Flynn, Ramsey and Latimer were not returned by press time.