Samantha Steele DUI Trial: Day One
- May 4
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
Samantha Steele's trial began on Monday, May 4, 2026
Trial Day One Update:
The first day of Samantha Steele’s high-profile DUI trial got underway Monday morning in Chicago before Cook County Judge Donald Suriano. Because this is a bench trial, Judge Suriano will decide the verdict without a jury.
In perhaps the most disturbing moment from the first day of trial came before testimony even began. Prosecutors told Judge Donald J. Suriano that Steele’s attorneys had contacted an emergency room physician who treated Steele after her arrest and warned the doctor that testifying could expose her to a malpractice lawsuit. According to the Tribune, prosecutors said the physician was told: “If you testify, your testimony could lead to a malpractice suit.” Steele’s attorneys argued that they had not been properly included on the subpoena for the physician, who is a state witness. Judge Suriano denied their motion to block the doctor’s testimony, though the physician did not testify Monday.
In a short opening statement, prosecutors framed the case simply. Assistant State’s Attorney Riley Mullen said Steele “made a choice” that day: “A choice to drink, and a choice to drive,” according to the Tribune. Steele’s defense team did not give an opening statement, and Steele herself did not speak during the first day of trial. She sat quietly as the court watched clips of the incident, while the officers who responded to the crash described what they saw, smelled, and heard that night.
According to testimony reported by the Chicago Tribune, officers described Steele as smelling of alcohol, appearing confused, and refusing police commands after the crash. Sgt. Tewelde Tesfai testified that Steele appeared intoxicated, telling the court, “She looked like she was under the influence,” and that she had “red, bloodshot, glassy eyes,” according to the Tribune. Much of the first day centered on police testimony and body-worn camera footage that had already been made public. In that footage, Steele repeatedly referenced her political position while refusing officers’ instructions. At one point, as an officer ordered her out of the vehicle, Steele said, “I’m an elected official,” the Tribune reported. Officer Yu also testified that Steele repeatedly said that he had a "small penis" while she was under arrest and observation at Weiss Hospital.
After the lunch break, the prosecution called its first civilian witness — Dylon, a medical technician who lives on North Ashland Avenue. He told the court he was playing video games at home when he saw Steele’s car slam into his parked vehicle. Dylon described Steele as defensive and smelling strongly of alcohol. She refused to get out of her car at first and told him he was “not allowed” to photograph her license plates. She even tried to drive away from the scene, but the front-end damage was so severe the car wouldn’t move. The defense had no questions for Dylon for cross-examination.
The trial will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, May 5, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 410 at the Daley Center. The prosecution is expected to call two medical witnesses, followed by what may be the defense’s first witness.
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