originally charged with automobile homicide - was allowed to plead guilty to a drunken driving charge after a judge declared a mistrial this week.
Robert S. Taul, 27, was charged with being intoxicated Sept. 24, 1988, when his vehicle rolled on I-15, killing his passenger, Regina P. Beach, 36, Riverton.But during a recess in his trial this week before 3rd District Judge Frank Noel, a juror, without Noel's authorization, discussed the case with a police officer.
The judge declared a mistrial and ordered a new trial.
Prosecutor Roger Blaylock, however, offered Taul a lesser charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class A misdemeanor.
Taul pleaded guilty to that charge and was scheduled for sentencing Jan. 19.