PARK CITY — Prosecutors on Friday issued a no bail warrant for a man who police say was speeding while intoxicated and claimed he was on his way to kill a former Missouri senator.
George William Stahl, 36, of Cottonwood Heights, was charged Friday in Summit County’s 3rd District Court with failing to respond to an officer’s signal to stop, a third-degree felony, as well as DUI and reckless driving, both class B misdemeanors.
Despite only being charged with a third-degree felony and two misdemeanors, prosecutors have requested Stahl be held in jail without bail because he poses a substantial risk to the community, according to court documents.
“He was traveling at speeds in excess of 130 mph during a snowstorm putting himself and other drivers at risk. After his arrest, he was found to be intoxicated admitting to taking narcotics and drinking alcohol. In addition, he made bizarre threats regarding a former member of Congress. Furthermore, the state would present evidence that he continues to act in a bizarre manner while incarcerated. His detention is necessary for the protection of the community and himself,” the Summit County Attorney’s Office wrote in its motion for detention.
About 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, Stahl was spotted by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper traveling 115 mph on I-80 in Summit County, according to the charges. The trooper tried to pull Stahl over, but rather than comply, he sped up to 130 mph, the charges state.
After another trooper deployed tire spikes, Stahl finally pulled over. In the car was an empty 12 pack of beer, another 12 pack that was partially consumed, and Stahl told troopers he had also consumed LSD and Adderall, according to the charges.
“On the way to the jail, while constrained by law enforcement, (Stahl) made numerous statements that he was on his way to Missouri to kill former Senator Claire McCaskill. No weapons were found in (his) vehicle,” the charges state.