Morrison denies intoxication, will fight PI charge

Port Arthur attorney and judicial candidate Stella Morrison denies she was drunk as she faces charges of public intoxication and resisting arrest.

Morrison is a Democratic candidate for 252nd District Court Judge, and she's the wife of Port Arthur municipal judge Kermit Morrison.

Beaumont police public information officer Joe Ornelas said that on Jan. 13 someone called police to report a woman in the parking lot of Harmony Science Academy on Calder Avenue who appeared to be intoxicated.

Ornelas says that woman was Morrison and that she got combative with the officer who took her into custody.

But Morrison, 66, claims she acted professionally and that it was the female police officer that was being rude and belligerent.

She told KBMT that she “never drank alcohol in her life” but does take medications for anxiety, tremors and high blood pressure. Morrison said the medications do not make it unsafe for her to drive.

She also told the TV reporter that she had an anxiety at the Jefferson County Courthouse a few months ago and that the night before she was arrested she had been up all night because of a death in the family.

In an interview with KFDM, she said she was pulled over into the school parking lot because of a flat tire, which two men had just helped her change when the police showed up.

If convicted of Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor, she could face up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000. If convicted of Public Intoxication, a Class C Misdemeanor, she could face a fine of up to $500.

Morrison said she will fight the charges and plans to continue her bid for judge.