Is this a normal bail amount - police officer Just $4,000 Bond For Killing Child?

Question

http://www.post-trib.com/news/314125,grandolph.article
March 27, 2007
By Lori Caldwell Post-Tribune staff writer


GARY -- On the same day Patrolman Levi Randolph was indicted in the shooting death of an unarmed teen, he was admitted to Methodist Hospital Northlake campus for psychiatric evaluation after threatening to hurt himself, police said Monday.
Lake County police arrested Randolph, 37, Sunday at the hospital here, booked him in to the Lake County Jail and later relocated him to the Porter County Jail in Valparaiso where he is being held on $4,000 cash bond, Lake County police spokesman Michael Higgins said.

Higgins said Randolph was moved to keep him away from inmates who would recognize him as a Gary officer.

Within hours of the grand jury indictment charging Randolph with reckless homicide, the five- year veteran officer threatened to hurt himself, Deputy Chief Thomas Papadakis said.

"He wrote a letter," Papadakis said.

Randolph was admitted to the hospital's psychiatric unit, police said.

After hearing Randolph and others testify, the Lake County grand jury decided to charge the officer in the death of Vincent Smith, 16.

Smith was shot in the back of the head as he fled from Randolph, who went to a Wabash Avenue home where neighbors reported a burglary in progress Jan. 15, 2006.

Randolph told police supervisors after the shooting he ordered Smith to stop, but the teen ran, climbed a fence and refused to show his hands.

When the teen reached in his sweatshirt pocket, Randolph fired, saying later he was in fear for his life.

Smith had apparently been inside his cousin's vacant home on Wabash Avenue before police arrived. The victim's family is suing the city.

Long before he was hired on the police department, Randolph was charged with shooting Kenneth Sutton, then 17. In 2005, Randolph was acquitted of an attempted murder charge. He testified he fired in self-defense.

Answer 1

I think the bail is wrong. Does not even sound close. I am wondering if the news article left a few zeros out somewhere.

Answer 2

The article advises that the bond is a "Cash Bond" which means he can't use property, professional, or signature bond. He must put forth the entire amount in cash!

Knowing that the media often gives a portion of a story, often one-sided and biased, and often times incorrect, I'd not want to comment on what my feelings were without ALL the facts.

You may also wish to do a bit more research as the news articles I checked related it was a $40,000.00 bond....not $4,000.00.

However, if this particular individual is a "rogue" officer...then there is no doubt he will suffer the consequences as any other person in his same situation.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

Me think maybe it be best to not run from the police and make sudden moves. Is there a follow up to see if the boy be havin' a criminal record? Run-ins with this officer? I be waitin' fer the whole story.

If he be held in the psyche ward then the bail be irrelevent. He be in custody don't he?

Answer 4

Indicted is not a notation of GUILT. $4000 cash bond.

Answer 5

Come on man dont you know that police officers look out for their own and that they are above the law and I'd be more than willing to argue this with any fine outstanding officer anyday.Those arrogant egotistical pricks!!

Answer 6

in my point of i think the army military deserves a Lil more you guys are doing the same job and you are doing the exact same thing but they are in a more intense situation because of where they are at. yes you are guys bother are serving your community you family but most of your nation and believe me you guys are making us proud but to answer you question i think that they deserve a Lil more

Answer 7

For reckless homicide, yea, it's about right. If it had been murder, probably no bail.

Answer 8

Yeah, the whole problem is in the charge he faces.

Answer 9

it WHAT Ever the judge set the bond to be