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New Prosecutor Assigned To Stabler DUI Case

By Jamie Burch

Published: Sun, July 13, 2008 - 1:12 am Last Updated: Thu, July 31, 2008 - 2:17 am

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/15865/

News 5 has learned John Gamble has been appointed to prosecute the Kenny Stabler DUI case.

Gamble is the third attorney to handle the prosecution for the City of Robertsdale. City Attorney Ken Raines recused himself June 12th, four days after Stabler was pulled over on Highway 59, citing a conflict on interest. Raines represented Stabler after his 2001 DUI arrest in Orange Beach.

Less than two weeks later, the person Judge Julian Brackin assigned to take Raines' place recused himself. James Scroggins, a prominent D.U.I. defense attorney on the Eastern Shore, told News 5 he could not serve as prosecutor because he "represents a witness in this case."

News 5 did a little digging into Gamble's background. He became a member of the Alabama Bar Association in the fall of 2002, four months after graduating from the University of Alabama Law School. Gamble now owns a law firm in Bay Minette.

The case was originally schedule to go to trial August 13. But the trial was postponed because the arresting officer will not be available that week. He is now working for the Alabama State Troopers Office and will be at the police academy in August. The trial is expected to be rescheduled for sometime in September

Friday, Stabler announced he was taking a leave of absence from the Alabama football broadcast booth to defend himself.

"It is with much regret that I will not be part of Crimson Tide football broadcasts this coming year," Stabler says, "but there are matters in my personal life that demand my full attention at this time."