According to a source close to the Mound Police Department, Jeff Skelton - who allegedly killed his wife's lover on June 21 by shooting him five times, in the eye, groin and foot and twice in the chest - was released on bail on June 23.
Skelton earned fifteen minutes of fame by calling WCCO radio and confessing to the alleged murder.
A Google search and a search of the Strib archives show no coverage of the fact that a man who shot another man five times, in the eye, groin and foot and twice in the chest, was released on bail. Apparently if people who shoot people in the eye, groin, foot and chest aren't physically calling the media with the story, it's of no interest...
According to the source, the authorities in Mound got word that Skelton was about to be released on half a million dollars' bail. They contacted the Hennepin County Attorney's office to schedule an emergency bail hearing - they had:
Skelton's freedom didn't last long; this past Wednesday, Mound investigators heard that Skelton had tried to contact his wife at work on Monday, June 27. The Mound police confirm Skelton was taken back into custody this past Wednesday.
Question: Why did the the Twin Cities media not see fit to report that the alleged shooter in one of the most highly-publicized killings of the past year - who, need I add, is alleged to have shot his victim five times in the eye, groin and foot and twice in the chest - was back on the street?
Another question: Why did a judge offer him bail at all?
Posted by Mitch at July 1, 2005 12:17 PM | TrackBack
Makes no sense a'tall.
And you ever notice how when you actually *see* a buttload of police searching for someone, or the aftermath of a crime, you never see it reported anywhere?
Posted by: chuck at July 1, 2005 11:22 AMHow about some coincidences?
Read this:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050701/ap_on_re_us/radio_confession_1
Note especially, the name of the producer.
Wierd.
LF
Posted by: LearnedFoot at July 1, 2005 01:17 PMWas he have a concealed carry permit? If he didn't, why would the Strib care? If he did have one? Front page, above the fold.
Posted by: JamesPh. at July 1, 2005 10:06 PMthe answer to your question about bail is found in the Minnesota Constitution. Article 1, Section 5 says that "excessive bail shall not be required..." That means that enough bail should be posted to "guarantee" that the Defendant will make future court appearances. Article 1 Section 7 says that "all persons before conviction shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for captial offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great." We don't really have capital offenses anymore, although some would argue Murder One fits that category. However, Murder One is charged only by indictment, and I haven't heard that a grand jury indicted the guy yet. Therefore, the judge HAS to set "reasonable" bail, that is bail that will make it likely the guy will show up again for court. If people don't like it, they should change our state constitution.
Posted by: the skeptic at July 6, 2005 03:30 PMThe Minnesota constution should protect the innocent. If it fails to do so, than I am glad I live in Illinois.
Posted by: Valerie G at July 10, 2005 11:02 AMThat is crazy. What an interesting article. You should check out the info on this site as well about auto loans. They have some good stuff. http://www.interwebautoloans.com they offer great auto loans for people with good and bad credit.
Posted by: Jeff at March 30, 2006 06:29 PMThanks!!! furniture Very nice site.I enjoy being here.
Posted by: furniture at July 7, 2006 09:17 AM