Will carjack suspects get out of jail free?
Shane Edward Staggs, 23, and Dustin Ray Thorn, 24, of Eugene, Ore., face three counts each of first degree kidnapping and second degree robbery robbery. By KVAL News and KVAL.com staffEUGENE, Ore. -- News that police arrested two men on suspicion of a string of carjack kidnappings and robberies brought relief to the community. "Way to go EPD!" commented sillyme. "I cheered when I saw this on the news last night." Given the lack of room in the Lane County Jail, however, the arrests sparked a new round of fears that the men would be released without first posting bail or facing trial. "They will be out next week, thanks to the (county commission) not using timber funds to open more beds at the jail," dlh_Oregon commented. That's not the case, according to county officials who believe Dustin Ray Thorn and Shane Edward Staggs pose a potential danger to the community. Brooke Marshall with Lane County pre-trial services said they are requesting an exemption from capacity based release for the two men accused of kidnapping and robbery. Due to a lack of jail beds, Lane County routinely releases people who face criminal charges but can't pay bail in order to make room for other offenders. Another possibility for the suspects in the case: federal charges. The two men are being arraigned in state circuit court at this point, but the case could go federal because the bank ATMs they're accused of stealing from are federally insured. If it becomes a federal case, that would also keep them from being released from jail, Marshall said. |
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