Teary-Eyed Kurt Angle Found Not Guilty Of Drunken Driving
POSTED: 3:13 pm EDT September 9, 2008
UPDATED: 3:45 pm EDT September 9, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- Former Olympian Kurt Angle was found not guilty on Tuesday in connection with drunken driving.

The wrestler was arrested after another driver saw a car being driven erratically in Moon Township on Sept. 28. Police said the vehicle matched the description of one belonging to Angle.

During his non-jury trial, which lasted about 40 minutes, a teary-eyed Angle told Channel 11 News that the incident has changed his life.

"It's taken a toll on my family," Angle said. "I regret it. It's something that, you know, I didn't do anything wrong. The law tries to turn around and get you. Maybe because you're a celebrity, maybe not."

Police said Angle admitted to them that he had driven home from a local bar. Police said he then failed field-sobriety tests.

On Tuesday, a judge ruled prosecutors couldn't prove he was actually "driving" under the influence.

His attorneys said Angle took a portable breathalyzer at the time and was under the legal limit.

"He was not intoxicated at that point, and the alcoholic beverages he consumed were after he was home and done driving," said defense attorney Michele Santicola.

"I've gotten a bad name," said Angle. "And regardless of this interview or any interview, when people hear my name, they think Kurt Angle was driving under the influence. Just crazy how society is today."

Angle, who won a gold medal in wrestling at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, said he can't dwell on the incident.

He's headed to Canada on Wednesday before touring Europe with TNA Wrestling.