By Jessica Boehm | The Republic
The Mesa City Council ousted Ryan Winkle from the board Thursday for violating the city’s charter following a DUI charge.
The unanimous decision came after three hours of witness testimony and back-and-forth among lawyers.
The council decided during the disciplinary hearing that Winkle broke the board’s code of ethics and demonstrated a lack of fitness for office when police say he drove drunk in the early hours of May 7.
The hearing, although not a trial, had all of the characteristics of one.
Lawyers called witnesses and reviewed police documents and body-camera footage.
Ryan held back tears while talking with the media after the vote.
He said he was disappointed, but he would continue to serve the city in one way or another.
