Man faces more charges in taxi scuffle

EL DORADO — Additional charges have been filed against a man who was originally arrested on a public intoxication charge after being accused of driving away in a cab and striking the driver who had been called to take him home.

Bail was set at $20,000 Friday for Brian M. Givens, 47, who faces several felony charges in connection to the Sept. 13 incident. Givens was arrested Thursday on charges of second-degree battery, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, theft of property and robbery.

Givens, the former vice president of entertainment/ talent relations with the Murphy Arts District, waived his first appearance hearing Friday in 35th Judicial District Court.

At 11 p.m. Sept. 13, officers responded to a report of unauthorized use of a vehicle at a residence in the 2300 block of Pathway.

The owner of El Dorado Taxi told police that an employee of Griffin Restaurant, which is part of the Murphy Arts District complex at 101 E. Locust, had called for service. When the taxi driver arrived, he was instructed to drive Givens to a residence in the 2300 block of Pathway, authorities said. When they arrived at the Pathway home, he helped Givens to the front door, according to police.

While he was trying to open the door, Givens shoved him inside the residence and walked back to the taxi, the victim told authorities, adding that Givens then drove away, striking him in the leg and running over the tip of his right foot.

A short time later, police said, officers found the vehicle at the intersection of West Main and Oak Valley with Givens asleep inside. Police noted that the engine was not running.

Authorities said Givens smelled strongly of intoxicants and had difficulty standing and walking once he got out of the vehicle. He refused to take a portable breathalyzer test, and he was held in the Union County jail for eight hours, according to a police report.

The owner of the taxi service declined medical treatment and to press charges against Givens. Police said Givens was subsequently charged with public intoxication. Givens pleaded innocent to that charge Sept. 14.

Investigators later sought a warrant for Givens’ arrest on the felony charges and issued it Thursday, El Dorado Police Chief Billy White said.

Bob Tarren, chief marketing officer for Murphy Arts District, said Givens no longer works for the private nonprofit, effective Sept. 14.