(Memphis) Judge William Craig Hall in Collierville set a $3 million bond for two men accused of robbing, beating and fleeing in a stolen car earlier this week. That bond amount is unheard of in Shelby County.
We asked Hall what he considered when setting the bond, but he couldn’t comment on a case he is presiding over by state law.
News Channel 3 spoke with defense attorney Leslie Ballin, who has experience in Collierville courts.
“You don’t put the cart before the horse, bail is not to punish. Peoples ties to the community certainly the facts of the case, prior criminal record,” said Ballin about what judges consider when setting a bond.
However, Ballin, who said he has seen higher than normal bonds in Collierville court, said the $3 million bond was “excessive.”
“When I go and ask for bond, I remind the judges that the legislature has directed you judge to set the lowest amount of bond that you can,” said Ballin.
The lengthy arrest record of one of the suspects Patrick Riley could’ve had an impact on the judge’s decision.
This year alone, Riley has been charged with theft twice, found guilty of prostitution and faced two other charges. He is due in court next week for a misdemeanor theft charge.
“The legislature tells the courts that when a person is out on bond and rearrested then bond should be set at twice of that what is normally set. Then there becomes an issue of safety to the community that this person has a track record,” explained Ballin.
Patrick Riley and his co-defendant David Yancy are due in court in Collierville on July 25th at 2 p.m. There is a chance the judge could transfer them to 201 Poplar.