Man imprisoned for DUI, perjury

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man convicted of drunken driving and perjury was given concurrent prison sentences and retained jurisdiction on Monday.

Robert Larry Tweet was sentenced to one to three years for driving under the influence and two to four years for perjury. District Judge Steve Verby retained jurisdiction, which means Tweet could be released after serving six months in prison.

If Tweet does not avail himself of programs at the Idaho Department of Correction or is a troublesome inmate, he could be ordered to serve the balance of the sentences.

A Bonner County jury convicted Tweet of DUI following a trial in November of last year. At trial, Tweet took the stand and told jurors he hitchhiked home and did not drive, testimony which the state alleged Tweet knew to be false.

Tweet was arrested by Sandpoint Police on suspicion of DUI in June 2008. He claimed he encountered a blond-haired jogger who agreed to give him a ride home for $35, according to court documents.

Tweet, 62, entered an Alford plea to the perjury charge, which meant he admitted no wrongdoing, but conceded he could be found guilty. Such pleas are treated no differently than a standard guilty plea at sentencing.

Tweet retook the stand at his sentencing in 1st District Court. He told Verby he voluntarily entered an inpatient treatment program and has been regularly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, court records indicate. Tweet gave the court proof of his treatment.

In addition to the custodial sentences, Tweet was fined $2,000 and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service within three years of his release.