DALLAS, Texas — Jury selection is scheduled for next Tuesday for a former Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy who was fired after her DWI arrest in 2021.
Her attorney tells WFAA Thursday that early signs of a degenerative neurological disease heavily contributed to the arrest, not alcohol, and that he has repeatedly asked the district attorney's office to dismiss the case to no avail.
Myriam Medrano was 51 years old when she was hit with a misdemeanor DWI charge. She was pulled over by a state trooper while diving the wrong way down the Dallas North Tollway, admitted to having 'three or four beers' before driving, and was arrested after failing a field sobriety test per arresting documents.
But when Medrano got to the Dallas County Jail, she consented to a breathalyzer test and blew a .072 and a .066 per arresting documents. Her attorney, Ashkan Mehryari, told WFAA that information didn't make sense to him and that something else put Medrano and others in danger that night.
"She's below the legal limit at that point and nowhere near the level of intoxication that would cause someone to drive unaware on the wrong side of the highway," Mehryari said. "I know that the alcohol didn't cause this situation."
Mehryari said that Medrano suffers from mild to moderate cognitive atrophy, as you would see in a patient who has dementia. She's now 55, and her mental state has worsened dramatically, Mehryari said, adding that when she was arrested, the disease was just starting to show.
Recent medical tests shared with WFAA show that neurologists found Medrano's "...neurocognitive performance was significantly below expected compared to baseline and same-aged peers, scoring at or below the 2nd percentile across all domains assessed." The report found, "Based on her current presentation, it is recommended that she have ongoing daily supervision from her family in the areas of medication use, financial management, and nutrition to better track her current level of independent functioning."
"She's losing brain neurons--she's losing brain function, and this isn't just a waste of tax dollars--it's an improper prosecution," Mehryari said.
Mehryari said that he's not only shared with the district attorney's office that Medrano tested below the legal limit but of the possibility she was suffering from a degenerative brain condition at the time of her arrest but said he hasn't had any luck getting the case dismissed.
Mehryari added that he would not take a misdemeanor case to the media unless an injustice were apparent.
A spokesperson for the district attorney's office told WFAA that they don't comment on pending cases. Mehryari added that if Medrano gets any shot at reinstating her county benefits, she would need a dismissal or acquittal.
Those benefits include healthcare, which, per the documents shared with WFAA, Medrano needs right now.
A blood draw wasn't done when Medrano arrived at the jail, only a breathalyzer test.