WCHS talk show host admits to being arrested for DUI

[CoolBreeze]

WCHS talk show co-host Michael Agnello admitted to his 3pm audience that he was busted for DUI over the weekend. This should boost ratings big time over the next weeks or months.

Almost everyone does it, but only a few actually get caught....

[Lester]

When I attended the class on field sobriety tests, we were briefed that the average drunk driver accomplishes it 80 times before they are caught.

Way to man up, btw... how'd Genlock not catch it first.

[CoolBreeze]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Michael Agnello, one of the hosts of WCHS Radio talk show '58 Live,' told his listeners Monday afternoon that he was arrested over the weekend on a charge of DUI.



Agnello took calls from viewers after informing them about the DUI charge.

Dunbar police allege in the criminal complaint that Agnello's jeep was swerving into other lanes on I64 west at the 52 mile marker after 1 a.m. Sunday, causing other vehicles to swerve to avoid being hit. In the complaint, the officer alleges that Agnello admitted to having a few drinks. Agnello failed three field sobriety tests and tested for a .173 on the intoximeter, according to the complaint. The state legal limit is .08.

"I can't tell you how mortified I am about that," Agnello said on 58 Live Monday. "It was a horrible judgment call."

Agnello said he could not discuss many details of the incident, on the advice of his attorney Mike Clifford, a former prosecuting attorney in Kanawha County.

"I blame no one but myself and I will certainly suffer the consequence of those actions," Agnello said.

DUI is a misdemeanor which carries a potential jail term of two days to six months and a fine between $200 and $1000.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/51806122.html

[genlock]

Was he on the Soprano's show?

[Bob Campbell]

Is he the one with the speech impediment?

[AmpedNow]

So, who is he on this board?



At least he's not "blaming" society or anyone else...

[genlock]

I don't know anybody on this board who could get to 0.173.
Or afford to.

[kaos]

"Horrible judgement call" or maybe he's an idiot. I've heard him rant and rave about the wrongs people do - now he's in the same boat.

I'm curious, will WCHS let this go (not that he is any good AT ALL) or will they just milk this for all its worth??

Additionally, I admit, I did not hear it, what was the co-host response or was there even one???

If he went and got Mike Clifford that fast he sure as hell looks to beat the rap - which we ALL would do - IF we could afford it!

PS - What was John Mitchell not available - I know people who say he's the best!!!

[Rock]

When I attended the class on field sobriety tests, we were briefed that the average drunk driver accomplishes it 80 times before they are caught.

Way to man up, btw... how'd Genlock not catch it first.

Genlock was busy watching the 'Market Leader', I'd wager. Indeed.

Well, I'm sure not gonna throw stones at the dude...15 years ago, it took a big tree jumping out into the middle of the road to 'drive' the point home for me. We all like to think we're bulletproof, & 'ok to drive'.

[genlock]

Even if Genlock had heard the name or seen it in the Jail files,
he wouldn't have recognized it.
Never heard of the guy.

[lovetalkradio]

He needs to get a job at WKKX 1600, he would fit in very good with them.

[Hoss]

Good luck to Agnello, at least he takes responsibility. On another front Mike and Rick Johnson's afternoon talk show is the worst example of local talk I have ever heard. It's disappointing based on what we had/have in Hoppy, Coolbreeze and Danny Jones. Michael does not understand how to have a dialogue and Rick is never prepared or interested in doing anything except eating the time. There are positives but the price to get there is more than I can bear to listen to. There is no ill will to Rick or Mike in this, I only know each from their air presence.

[CoolBreeze]

My issue with the entire days local programming is that there's a thick line between "Talk Show" and "Infomercial", and they cross that line every single day.

[Hoss]

True but isn't this just evidence of a systemic problem that WCHS has had for years? Poor management ill equipped, by a lack of depth in experience, to make neither decisions nor the ability to execute even the basic principles of a talk format. Wouldn't they be ahead to just emulate successful stations? As a listener I enjoy talk radio but feel disappointed my home town is the least satisfying place to listen.

[Hoosier Daddy]

True but isn't this just evidence of a systemic problem that WCHS has had for years? Poor management ill equipped, by a lack of depth in experience, to make neither decisions nor the ability to execute even the basic principles of a talk format. Wouldn't they be ahead to just emulate successful stations? As a listener I enjoy talk radio but feel disappointed my home town is the least satisfying place to listen.

Dude. Move to Huntington and start listening. You'll never say that about Charleston talk radio again.

[jag]

OK, we all admit that he's doing the right thing by admitting he did something wrong.

BUT, would we all be saying that if he'd caused a devastating or fatal accident while driving in this state? Hey, folks, it's not as if countless studies and libraries worth of information aren't out there showing that what he did was well beyond wrecklessly irresponsible, and even further beyond stupid.

"Horrible judgement call" he says. Wrong. There was only woefully, yet willfully, impaired judgement in this case. And now, our tax dollars go to further tying up the courts for cases like this in which those with ego issues blatantly trivialize the safety and well-being of others.

Seems interesting that somebody who depends on others (as broadcasting people do) would have such abject disregard for them.

[Bob Campbell]

Is he still on the air?

[genlock]

I figure by now Hallburn has applied for his job.
After somebody placed about 30 calls complaining about agnello to WVRC.

[Schaffer]

Just two quick points to make.

I don't know anybody on this board who could get to 0.173

.

I was busted in October of 2000 by the WV State Police at Go mart in Teays Valley with a B.A.C of .277 while working for WKLC, so trust me, it's possible. Don't listen to all that crap about how you are almost dead at a .30, it is not true. The Trooper told me he has booked people still able to fill out paperwork with a .35.

That arrest was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. To this day, almost ten years later, I still never get behind the wheel if I have been drinking. Maybe this guy will do the same. After all, isn't the point of jail to teach us a lesson? Go easy on the dude, maybe he just got HIS wakeup call.

[EZ103.3FM]

Just two quick points to make.

I don't know anybody on this board who could get to 0.173

.

I was busted in October of 2000 by the WV State Police at Go mart in Teays Valley with a B.A.C of .277 while working for WKLC, so trust me, it's possible. Don't listen to all that crap about how you are almost dead at a .30, it is not true. The Trooper told me he has booked people still able to fill out paperwork with a .35.

That arrest was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. To this day, almost ten years later, I still never get behind the wheel if I have been drinking. Maybe this guy will do the same. After all, isn't the point of jail to teach us a lesson? Go easy on the dude, maybe he just got HIS wakeup call.

Glad you got your wakeup call. I don't drink (never have) - part of the reason is some car rides with my father when he shouldn't have been driving.

Also, last I heard Tom McGee is sober and doing well in law school.....