Montana man pleads no contest to 11th DUI

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A 49-year-old Montana man who apparently was intoxicated when he came to court for his trial on a felony drunken driving charge has pleaded no contest to his 11th DUI.

Thaylin Shawn Pierce, of Billings, entered the plea Thursday. He's free on bond until his sentencing June 22.

Pierce was charged in November 2008 after he tried to drive after being kicked out of a casino. His trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday, but the judge suspected Pierce was intoxicated.

A breath test showed Pierce had a blood-alcohol level of 0.093 percent.

Negotiations for a plea agreement began. One of the conditions was that Pierce had to return to court sober the next morning to enter his plea.

Pierce has nine previous drunken driving convictions in Colorado and another one in Wyoming.

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Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com