Goth rocker's reps say his blood alcohol level was low when arrested

March 22, 2013

Peter Murphy was arrested on suspicion of allegedly driving… (Courtesy of the…)

Representatives for Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy are saying the goth rocker’s blood alcohol level was 0.01 when he was arrested March 16 on suspicion of driving under influence of drugs or alcohol after an alleged hit-and-run collision in Glendale.

According to Murphy’s official Facebook page, the amount of alcohol in his bloodstream was well below the legal limit of 0.08. His representatives alleged that his blood alcohol level of 0.01 was the “lowest amount of alcohol that is able to register on a breathalyzer."

“We cannot say anything more right now as after pleading not guilty to all charges, Peter now must say no more until this matter is resolved,” according to Murphy’s Facebook statement posted Tuesday.

Still, Murphy’s representatives assured fans that his “Mr. Moonlight” tour, which will celebrate Bauhaus’ 35th anniversary, will go on. Murphy plans to kick off his North America and European tour on April 22 in San Antonio, Texas.

According his Facebook statement, Murphy “wishes to thank everyone for their support and can't wait to start touring.”

Murphy pleaded not guilty this week to three misdemeanors counts of driving under the influence, hit-and-run and possessing methamphetamine. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge also banned Murphy from driving a vehicle.

He was arrested after Glendale police said he reportedly rear-ended a Mercedes at Central and Goode avenues in Glendale and then fled the scene.

An eyewitness followed Murphy, who was driving a Subaru Forester, to the 3400 block of Barham Boulevard in Los Angeles, where he blocked him because “he was afraid [Murphy] would kill someone with his driving,” according to police.

Officers reportedly found a small bag possibly containing methamphetamine inside a Los Angeles Police partol car, where he had been detained, according to police.

Police believe Murphy was trying to discard the drugs inside the patrol car, but Murphy denied the bag belonged to him.

He is expected to return to court on May 17 for a pretrial hearing.

--Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA.

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