Ashley Reeves: Shelton bail arrives; house arrest is next

[Indigo Ace]

From the Belleville [IL] News-Democrat--

Shelton bail arrives; house arrest is next
News-Democrat

Sam Shelton is getting to leave the St. Clair County Jail after the
arrival of a blue canvas duffel bag.

His release was being secured by $80,000 in cash brought in that bag
by his mother and brother about 1:30 p.m. Monday. He will be
electronically monitored and must remain in his mother's home, 5414
Live Oak Drive in Smithton.

Earlier Monday a St. Clair County judge reduced the bail for the
former teacher and coach accused of kidnapping and then trying to
murder a Millstadt teenager by breaking her neck and strangling her.

Circuit Judge John Baricevic reduced Shelton's bail from $1 million to
$800,000 and ordered that he be placed under house arrest if released
from jail. Shelton's bail had to be secured by $80,000 in cash,
representing 10 percent of the bail amount.

If he fails to appear in court, the full $800,000 would be sought by
the court.

Shelton, 26, faces kidnapping and attempted murder charges for an
attack on 17-year-old Ashley Reeves on April 27.

Reeves, of Millstadt, remains hospitalized for brain trauma and a high
fever related to numerous insect bites she suffered during the 30
hours she spent in the woods after being dumped in a Belleville park
by her attacker.

Shelton's attorney, Clyde Kuehn, argued for the reduction, saying
Shelton had a "legitimate defense" for the charges and had no previous
criminal record.

http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/14584995.htm

[Indigo Ace]

From the Belleville [IL] News-Democrat--

Shelton freed on bond
Teenager left in park with broken neck is still unable to speak
BY BETH HUNDSDORFER
News-Democrat

The former Freeburg teacher accused of breaking the neck of a
17-year-old, strangling her and then leaving her for dead was released
Monday from the St. Clair County Jail.

And as a prosecutor was arguing against the release, he said the teen
victim remains in dire shape.

"She is unable to speak or walk," St. Clair County Assistant State's
Attorney Joe Christ said. "She has absolutely no cognitive function on
her own right now."

Samson "Sam" R. Shelton was released after St. Clair County Circuit
Judge John Baricevic reduced his bail from $1 million to $800,000. The
reduction was over the strident objection of Christ and Assistant
State's Attorney Jim Piper, who said Shelton was a flight risk and
danger to the community.

Prosecutors detailed Shelton's admissions that he broke the neck of
Ashley Reeves, then strangled her three times with a belt -- once
until her eyes bulged, then until she turned blue and finally until
she foamed at the mouth.

"He heard her neck snap," Christ said. "He tried to kill her."

Baricevic cited Shelton's lack of criminal history and community ties
in agreeing to reduce his bail. He is charged with attempted murder
and kidnapping the teen.

Clyde Kuehn, Shelton's lawyer, argued the former Freeburg High School
driver's education teacher and professional wrestler helped police by
leading them to Ashley, who was barely breathing 30 hours after her
parents reported her missing.

In response, Christ delivered this chronology of the crime:

• Shelton met Reeves on April 27 at Laderman Park. The two traveled in
Shelton's car until they began to argue. Christ did not say why they
argued.

• Shelton tried to pull Reeves out of the car on Radio Range Road, put
her in a headlock and then heard her neck snap.

• Shelton tried to hide Reeves in Citizens Park. He wrapped a belt
around her neck three separate times to try to strangle her.

Despite Christ's depiction of the crime, Kuehn contends Shelton has a
legitimate defense.

"I think there are matters of interpretation as to reasonable doubt to
some of the elements alleged in the charge," Kuehn said.

Reeves' condition remained unchanged Monday. She is in serious
condition at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

Dr. Steven Burger, a Belleville neurologist, said Reeves' prognosis
was likely "wait and see." He is not treating her.

"The sooner you start to make improvements, the better," Burger said.
"The earlier you start to see patterns of recovery the better the
prognosis, but in neurological recovery, she is still very early in
the process."

State's Attorney Robert Haida declined to comment when asked whether
Shelton could face murder charges if Reeves succumbs to her injuries.

"Right now, we are focusing on her recovery and our present case,"
Haida said.

By 1:15 p.m. Monday, Shelton's mother and brother brought the
necessary 10 percent cash bond -- $80,000 -- in a blue, canvas bag to
the St. Clair County Jail. It took more than 15 minutes to count the
money, even with the help of an automatic bill counter.

After the money was counted and paperwork was completed, Shelton
emerged from the jail wearing gray pants and shirt. He asked a
sheriff's deputy for the cell phone he surrendered when he was booked
into the jail April 28. The request was denied.

Shelton, flanked by his brother, George, and mother, Susan, declined
to answer questions as he left the jail.

Baricevic ordered Shelton placed on electronic monitoring and confined
to his home.

After leaving the jail, Shelton reported to the St. Clair County
probation office, said Ron Schaefer, head of probation.

Probation officers fitted his ankle with an electronic monitoring
rubber band with cable running through it.

Inside the home, a box is hooked up to a phone line. If Shelton gets
too far from the box, the box sends a phone message to a probation
officer's pager, Schaefer said.

"Is it a fail-safe? No. It isn't a foolproof system, especially in
cases of domestic violence," Schaefer said. "If he wants to, can he
cut that thing off and take off? Sure. Hopefully, that won't happen in
this case."

Shelton was also ordered to have no contact with witnesses in his
case.

While Shelton was on a 24-hour suicide watch at the St. Clair County
Jail, he won't receive that kind of supervision in his home.

"We talked to him about that," Schaefer said. "It seems like he's got
family that really cares about him, and if that was an issue, I would
hope that they would get him help."

But Kuehn believed Shelton's release would improve his mental state.

"He's not in a good mental state, but he never thought he would be in
this position, I am sure," Kuehn said. "That being said, I don't
consider him a threat to himself."

Shelton's trial could be years away, but unless there's some
infraction that would require the probation department to ask the
court to revoke bail, Shelton would remain on monitoring, Schaefer
said.

A St. Clair County grand jury will hear evidence in the case Friday.
An indictment is expected May 26, Haida said.

http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/14590989.htm

[tiny dancer]

Post by Indigo Ace
From the Belleville [IL] News-Democrat--
Shelton freed on bond
Teenager left in park with broken neck is still unable to speak
BY BETH HUNDSDORFER
News-Democrat
The former Freeburg teacher accused of breaking the neck of a
17-year-old, strangling her and then leaving her for dead was released
Monday from the St. Clair County Jail.
And as a prosecutor was arguing against the release, he said the teen
victim remains in dire shape.
"She is unable to speak or walk," St. Clair County Assistant State's
Attorney Joe Christ said. "She has absolutely no cognitive function on
her own right now."
Samson "Sam" R. Shelton was released after St. Clair County Circuit
Judge John Baricevic reduced his bail from $1 million to $800,000. The
reduction was over the strident objection of Christ and Assistant
State's Attorney Jim Piper, who said Shelton was a flight risk and
danger to the community.
Prosecutors detailed Shelton's admissions that he broke the neck of
Ashley Reeves, then strangled her three times with a belt -- once
until her eyes bulged, then until she turned blue and finally until
she foamed at the mouth.
"He heard her neck snap," Christ said. "He tried to kill her."
Baricevic cited Shelton's lack of criminal history and community ties
in agreeing to reduce his bail. He is charged with attempted murder
and kidnapping the teen.
Clyde Kuehn, Shelton's lawyer, argued the former Freeburg High School
driver's education teacher and professional wrestler helped police by
leading them to Ashley, who was barely breathing 30 hours after her
parents reported her missing.
. Shelton met Reeves on April 27 at Laderman Park. The two traveled in
Shelton's car until they began to argue. Christ did not say why they
argued.
. Shelton tried to pull Reeves out of the car on Radio Range Road, put
her in a headlock and then heard her neck snap.
. Shelton tried to hide Reeves in Citizens Park. He wrapped a belt
around her neck three separate times to try to strangle her.
Despite Christ's depiction of the crime, Kuehn contends Shelton has a
legitimate defense.
"I think there are matters of interpretation as to reasonable doubt to
some of the elements alleged in the charge," Kuehn said.
Reeves' condition remained unchanged Monday. She is in serious
condition at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis.
Dr. Steven Burger, a Belleville neurologist, said Reeves' prognosis
was likely "wait and see." He is not treating her.
"The sooner you start to make improvements, the better," Burger said.
"The earlier you start to see patterns of recovery the better the
prognosis, but in neurological recovery, she is still very early in
the process."
State's Attorney Robert Haida declined to comment when asked whether
Shelton could face murder charges if Reeves succumbs to her injuries.
"Right now, we are focusing on her recovery and our present case,"
Haida said.
By 1:15 p.m. Monday, Shelton's mother and brother brought the
necessary 10 percent cash bond -- $80,000 -- in a blue, canvas bag to
the St. Clair County Jail. It took more than 15 minutes to count the
money, even with the help of an automatic bill counter.
After the money was counted and paperwork was completed, Shelton
emerged from the jail wearing gray pants and shirt. He asked a
sheriff's deputy for the cell phone he surrendered when he was booked
into the jail April 28. The request was denied.
Shelton, flanked by his brother, George, and mother, Susan, declined
to answer questions as he left the jail.
Baricevic ordered Shelton placed on electronic monitoring and confined
to his home.
After leaving the jail, Shelton reported to the St. Clair County
probation office, said Ron Schaefer, head of probation.
Probation officers fitted his ankle with an electronic monitoring
rubber band with cable running through it.
Inside the home, a box is hooked up to a phone line. If Shelton gets
too far from the box, the box sends a phone message to a probation
officer's pager, Schaefer said.
"Is it a fail-safe? No. It isn't a foolproof system, especially in
cases of domestic violence," Schaefer said. "If he wants to, can he
cut that thing off and take off? Sure. Hopefully, that won't happen in
this case."
Shelton was also ordered to have no contact with witnesses in his
case.
While Shelton was on a 24-hour suicide watch at the St. Clair County
Jail, he won't receive that kind of supervision in his home.
"We talked to him about that," Schaefer said. "It seems like he's got
family that really cares about him, and if that was an issue, I would
hope that they would get him help."
But Kuehn believed Shelton's release would improve his mental state.
"He's not in a good mental state, but he never thought he would be in
this position, I am sure," Kuehn said. "That being said, I don't
consider him a threat to himself."
Shelton's trial could be years away, but unless there's some
infraction that would require the probation department to ask the
court to revoke bail, Shelton would remain on monitoring, Schaefer
said.
A St. Clair County grand jury will hear evidence in the case Friday.
An indictment is expected May 26, Haida said.
http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/14590989.htm

I'm shocked the judge lowered his bond. He should have had no bond, IMO.
What a brutal bastard. He broke her neck AND strangled her three times with
a belt. This poor girl will probably never have an semblance of a life.
Let him rot in jail awaiting trial. Who cares if his *mental state* is
*better* free. At least he HAS a *mental state*, which apparently is more
than can be said for his victim.

Post by Indigo Ace
--
Anne, indigoace at goodsol period com
Jewelry: http://www.prettygoodjewelry.com
Cats: http://www.goodsol.com/cats/

[Indigo Ace]

On Tue, 16 May 2006 17:15:36 -0400, "tiny dancer"

Post by tiny dancer
I'm shocked the judge lowered his bond. He should have had no bond, IMO.
What a brutal bastard. He broke her neck AND strangled her three times with
a belt. This poor girl will probably never have an semblance of a life.
Let him rot in jail awaiting trial. Who cares if his *mental state* is
*better* free. At least he HAS a *mental state*, which apparently is more
than can be said for his victim.

Yeah, pretty heinous. I thought this was a good move, though (from
today's Belleville News-Democrat)--

Suit filed to land Shelton's bail money
Wants cash to be used for Reeves' bills
BY GEORGE PAWLACZYK AND BETH HUNDSDORFER
News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE -- Attorney Bruce Cook filed a lawsuit Tuesday in St. Clair
County Circuit Court in part to reserve the cash that just freed
Samson "Sam" R. Shelton so it can be applied to the hospital bills of
the woman he is accused of attacking.

"I will see if I can snatch that bond money for her," said Cook, a
Belleville attorney who specializes in personal injury lawsuits.

The lawsuit, which seeks damages in excess of $50,000, will not affect
Shelton's release on $80,000 cash bond approved Monday by St. Clair
County Circuit Judge John Baricevic. While Baricevic reduced the
previous $100,000 bond by $20,000, he required the 26-year old former
Freeburg driver's education teacher to remain at his mother's home
near Smithton. He must also wear an electronic monitoring anklet.

Cook's lawsuit states that Shelton, 26, a professional wrestler who
performed under the name "The Teacher," caused 17-year-old high school
student Ashley Reeves, "to suffer severe and permanently disabling
injuries, more specifically ... an injury to her brain and spinal
cord...."

On Monday, Assistant State's Attorney Joe Christ vehemently opposed
Shelton's release, telling Baricevic that Shelton "heard her neck
snap," then choked her three times with a belt until she turned blue
and foamed at the mouth. Reeves was not found until after she had lain
in deep woods behind Citizens Park in Belleville for more than 30
hours, during which it rained much of the time.

According to a videotape shown on a St. Louis television station,
Shelton allegedley left Reeves in the woods and then went country line
dancing at a popular Collinsville tavern.

Shelton has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial. His attorney, Clyde
Kuehn of Belleville, could not be reached for comment.

Reeves' family issued an update Tuesday concerning her condition in
the intensive care unit at SSM Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis,
where she remains listed in "serious" condition.

"She is doing as well as can be expected. She's a trooper," said a
statement from Reeves' father, Mickel Reeves. "You just don't know
from one day to the next how Ashley is going to react.... All we can
do for her now is to keep the faith and keep our prayers going."

Cook said he will try to keep out of the way of the criminal
prosecution, but saw no reason to delay the lawsuit.

"There's no sense in waiting around," Cook said. "She will have
crushing medical and rehabilitation expenses. And who better to pay
them than him?"

Reeves resides in Millstadt but has been hospitalized in St. Louis
since late April.

Shelton is accused of two counts of first-degree attempted murder and
aggravated kidnapping. He is accused of abducting Reeves on April 27,
attacking and trying to strangle her with a belt, and then leaving her
in the woods where she suffered numerous insect bites that have
resulted in a fever, according to a previous statement from her
family.

Kuehn, Shelton's attorney, said Monday he intended to ask a judge to
move the case out of St. Clair County because of intense publicity.
The case captured headlines locally and was featured repeatedly on
local and national television, including CNN, Fox News Channel and
MSNBC.

Kuehn also cited Sunday's News-Democrat editorial, which urged
Baricevic, the case judge, not to reduce Shelton bail, then set at $1
million, which required a cash bond of $100,000.

Jamie Carey, a Loyola School of Law professor, said media attention is
not necessarily the problem with getting a fair trial. But rather, can
jurors put what they have heard and read aside/

"Whether there is coverage or not isn't the consideration," Carey
said, but whether jurors can make their decision solely on, "the
evidence they hear during the trial that really matters."

Reporter Aliana Ramos contributed information to this story.
http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/14598414.htm

[tiny dancer]

Post by Indigo Ace
On Tue, 16 May 2006 17:15:36 -0400, "tiny dancer"

Post by tiny dancer
I'm shocked the judge lowered his bond. He should have had no bond, IMO.
What a brutal bastard. He broke her neck AND strangled her three times with
a belt. This poor girl will probably never have an semblance of a life.
Let him rot in jail awaiting trial. Who cares if his *mental state* is
*better* free. At least he HAS a *mental state*, which apparently is more
than can be said for his victim.

Yeah, pretty heinous. I thought this was a good move, though (from
today's Belleville News-Democrat)--

If they can get their hands on this money, it sounds like it might be just a
drop in the bucket of what long term actual expenses might be to care for
this poor girl. I say, if the miserable slime ball skips bail, the rest of
the outstanding bail, all 800 grand ought to go to her too. Disgusting POS
that he is.


td

Post by Indigo Ace
Suit filed to land Shelton's bail money
Wants cash to be used for Reeves' bills
BY GEORGE PAWLACZYK AND BETH HUNDSDORFER
News-Democrat
BELLEVILLE -- Attorney Bruce Cook filed a lawsuit Tuesday in St. Clair
County Circuit Court in part to reserve the cash that just freed
Samson "Sam" R. Shelton so it can be applied to the hospital bills of
the woman he is accused of attacking.
"I will see if I can snatch that bond money for her," said Cook, a
Belleville attorney who specializes in personal injury lawsuits.
The lawsuit, which seeks damages in excess of $50,000, will not affect
Shelton's release on $80,000 cash bond approved Monday by St. Clair
County Circuit Judge John Baricevic. While Baricevic reduced the
previous $100,000 bond by $20,000, he required the 26-year old former
Freeburg driver's education teacher to remain at his mother's home
near Smithton. He must also wear an electronic monitoring anklet.
Cook's lawsuit states that Shelton, 26, a professional wrestler who
performed under the name "The Teacher," caused 17-year-old high school
student Ashley Reeves, "to suffer severe and permanently disabling
injuries, more specifically ... an injury to her brain and spinal
cord...."
On Monday, Assistant State's Attorney Joe Christ vehemently opposed
Shelton's release, telling Baricevic that Shelton "heard her neck
snap," then choked her three times with a belt until she turned blue
and foamed at the mouth. Reeves was not found until after she had lain
in deep woods behind Citizens Park in Belleville for more than 30
hours, during which it rained much of the time.
According to a videotape shown on a St. Louis television station,
Shelton allegedley left Reeves in the woods and then went country line
dancing at a popular Collinsville tavern.
Shelton has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial. His attorney, Clyde
Kuehn of Belleville, could not be reached for comment.
Reeves' family issued an update Tuesday concerning her condition in
the intensive care unit at SSM Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis,
where she remains listed in "serious" condition.
"She is doing as well as can be expected. She's a trooper," said a
statement from Reeves' father, Mickel Reeves. "You just don't know
from one day to the next how Ashley is going to react.... All we can
do for her now is to keep the faith and keep our prayers going."
Cook said he will try to keep out of the way of the criminal
prosecution, but saw no reason to delay the lawsuit.
"There's no sense in waiting around," Cook said. "She will have
crushing medical and rehabilitation expenses. And who better to pay
them than him?"
Reeves resides in Millstadt but has been hospitalized in St. Louis
since late April.
Shelton is accused of two counts of first-degree attempted murder and
aggravated kidnapping. He is accused of abducting Reeves on April 27,
attacking and trying to strangle her with a belt, and then leaving her
in the woods where she suffered numerous insect bites that have
resulted in a fever, according to a previous statement from her
family.
Kuehn, Shelton's attorney, said Monday he intended to ask a judge to
move the case out of St. Clair County because of intense publicity.
The case captured headlines locally and was featured repeatedly on
local and national television, including CNN, Fox News Channel and
MSNBC.
Kuehn also cited Sunday's News-Democrat editorial, which urged
Baricevic, the case judge, not to reduce Shelton bail, then set at $1
million, which required a cash bond of $100,000.
Jamie Carey, a Loyola School of Law professor, said media attention is
not necessarily the problem with getting a fair trial. But rather, can
jurors put what they have heard and read aside/
"Whether there is coverage or not isn't the consideration," Carey
said, but whether jurors can make their decision solely on, "the
evidence they hear during the trial that really matters."
Reporter Aliana Ramos contributed information to this story.
http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/14598414.htm
--
Anne, indigoace at goodsol period com
Jewelry: http://www.prettygoodjewelry.com
Cats: http://www.goodsol.com/cats/