"This is clearly a mistake" - Gayle King defends Justin Timberlake after his DWI arrest, calls him a "great guy"

Journalist Gayle King recently defended Justin Timberlake after his recent DWI (driving while intoxicated) arrest. On Wednesday's, June 19, 2024, episode of CBS Mornings, King and her co-anchors, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson, discussed the singer's run-in with the law. Defending Justin's character, she remarked—

"Justin Timberlake is a really, really great guy. Listen, this is clearly a mistake — I bet nobody knows it more than he."

Burleson then pointed out it was a "stupid mistake," to which she replied, "and he knows that." She continued—

"He's not an irresponsible person, he's not reckless, he's not careless. Clearly this is not a good thing (but) he knows that."

Per a statement by the Sag Harbor Police Department, Timberlake was arrested in the Hamptons on Tuesday, June 18, for driving while intoxicated. The spokesperson explained that he was pulled over for failing to stop at a stop sign and veering out of his lane. A statement made to PEOPLE added that nobody was hurt in the incident.

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Gayle King and the panel warned viewers of the risks of drunk driving

Justin Timberlake was reportedly partying with his friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. Following the party, he was on his way to a friend's house when he was arrested.

Per an article by Page Six, court documents show the former NSYNC member's "eyes were bloodshot and glassy" and his breath had "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage." Additionally, "he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests."

Gayle King referenced Billy Joel's comment about Timerlake's arrest, stating—

"I loved when they stopped Billy Joel and he said, 'Wait, not everybody judge at this particular time.'"

Joel, who was outside the American Hotel when questioned about the incident, stated:

"Judge not lest ye be judged."

He, however, added that he doesn't "really know that much," so he had "no comment."

Despite her comments about Justin Timberlake, King added, "There is never any excuse" for driving drunk. She explained even though it is "alleged," "based on what the officers saw, it's not good."

In response, the panel reminded viewers that there are several resources available when intoxicated, like calling a cab or a friend to drive, asserting that—

"Don't even risk it. There is too much at risk for you and everyone else on the road."

Justin Timberlake was released without bail and charged with one count of DWI. Per his lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., the charge "was a single count because he refused the breath test." Additionally, he was charged with two court citations for running a stop sign and not traveling in the correct traffic lane.

The Cry Me a River singer is set for a court hearing next month on July 26.