As other inmates go free, jail holds man accused of using Taser on cop
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EUGENE, Ore. - A man accused of using a police officer's Taser against the officer has been in jail since February 23, during which time 118 other inmates have been released due to overcrowding.
Friends and family of Jessie Wright question why he hasn't been released, too. Wright faces charges of assault on a public safety officer, unlawful use of a stun gun, resisting arrest and criminal trespass. He pleaded not guilty to all counts this week.
He had been held pending $590,000 bail but now has a release hearing on Friday. Jail records now show his bail has not been set.
The Lane County Jail routinely releases people accused of crimes who have not yet posted bail or faced trial as part of what is known as a "capacity based release."
Wright, who was arrested following his 30th birthday party, has not been released.
Police said Wright was leaving a birthday bash at a downtown bar when he "aggressively pointed his finger" in the face of an officer. When police used a Taser on Wright in an attempt to arrest him, they say he turned the Taser on the officer.
His friends who were with him have questioned the police account of what happened that night. Police won't offer any more details, citing the pending charges against Wright.
"It all comes down to a wounded officer's pride," said Anna Jackson, Wright's girlfriend. "Honestly that's why they're keeping him in.
"He wants his voice to be heard in all of this," she said of Wright. "I mean that he was wrongfully accused."
The justice system will ultimately decide the charges against Wright. But in an era when the Lane County Jail routinely releases people accused of stabbing people or hit-and-run in a stolen car without bail, Wright's friends question why he is still behind bars.
"When the jail is at capacity, the inmates deemed the least dangerous are the first to be released," said Sgt. Carrie Carver with the Lane County Sheriff's Office, which runs the jail.
The risk assessment has found 118 other inmates less dangerous than Wright since he was locked up, according to jail records.
Lane County is asking voters to approve a new tax in order to keep more offenders behind bars.
I wanted to comment on an article I read the other day, but it got away from me. Basically they (law enforcement) were talking about letting "less violent" criminals out to make room for more violent criminals. Well the story (the media in their bias who don't report complete information) didn't tell us what "less violent" and what more violent actually is. Just saying less violent or more violent isn't enough for me to make an informed decision. I want to know exactly what we're talking about here.
I still have yet to see the violent crime spree that Jail officials, and the Sheriff department, and the Chief of Police are claiming is imminent. I don't believe for a minute there is going to be this crime attack on the community by violent criminals who were released from Jail because they don't have room for them. Of course there is always an exception, (I have no doubt they need money to operate that Jail) but so far this is nothing more than fear mongering by law enforcement who I believe just want their unlimited overtime and to buy all their little toys....
The fact is there hasn't been a violent crime spree or less citizen safety, yet. I'm still waiting for this siege on the city of Eugene.
The way laws are written, make a difference in the way the law enforcement classify violent crime. For example, if use your finger in your jacket pocket to simulate a gun and rob a business that will get you a second degree robbery charge and it will also classified you as "violent" even though there was no actual violence. That person isn't a threat, at least not of violence.
A person who robs a store or a bank and uses his finger to simulate a hand gun in my mind as opposed to using an actual firearm or a knife makes a huge difference to me. Law enforcement need (and indeed the lame stream media) to make the distinction crystal clear. What do they (law enforcement) mean when they say violent and what crimes do they classify as violent even though there wasn't any actual violence involved.
The Sheriff, and the Police Chief's of Eugene and Lane (currently and in the past) county had a zillion chances to save and to be frugal with the monies that was rolling in for decades yet instead chose to spend and spend and spend some more! Not unlike most cities and counties in this nation. The administration of these two agencies here in Eugene and lane county are supposed to be doing just that, managing and over seeing funds... They failed to do this for decades, and the result is what we are facing now.
These are people (law enforcement Sheriff and Police Chief) who (hopefully) have business degree's from and accredited college and should know what they are doing. If not, we need to find someone who does...
You (City of Eugene and Law enforcement) are in the position we are in because you people haven't done your jobs in the past forty years or so. Budgeting and Saving and investing monies you have for a rainy day or an emergency is no different than I have to do with my budget. Because if I spend all my money, where do I get more? Will the taxpayers give it to me? Perhaps the city of Eugene will give me some? I don't think so, and I don't think you do either. I also don't like the spending track record. You have proven to me you CANNOT be trusted to budget or to oversee the monies you have been entrusted with already! And I'm speaking about all the powers that be that control and distribute funds, including the Sheriff's Department and the Eugene Police Chief.
I wouldn't give the city of Eugene, Lane County, the Jail or law enforcement another dime!
I don't care if you let every single person out of that Jail.
P.S. And stop the fear mongering to get more money, I ain't buying...
Anna Jackson, your full of prunes, baby doll. Just about everyone here, hates cops...until they need one.
@VetzeroI don't believe anyone with any common sense hates cops. I do believe we hate bad cops and nothing more... They give all law enforcement a bad name...
Shock a cop and go to jail and get a hefty sentence its a no brainer really.
They're letting REAL criminals go free ahead of because of the scuffle he got in with the boys in blue- this is just politics plain and simple. The EXACT reason why I do not trust this police department to truly do their job- which is: TO SERVE AND PROTECT ALL OF US!! I will be voting NO on the next jail levy because of shenanigans such as this!Â
Sorry but assault on an officer with a weapon is worthy of holding.
@givupongod He did not assault the police officer.
@LifeisGOOD007 @givupongod Yes, that is legally an assault.
@LifeisGOOD007 @givupongod then why the heck is he in jail? HELLO shocking a cop or anybody is a crime so yea he did!!!
well knowing how lane county jails work, if your not a problem in the community or been in trouble over and over you will sit there, if you keep getting in trouble and are a noosence they will let you go.if the ones at the jail know the person that you have had beef with they will not even consider letting you go even though the courts say you are not a menace or don't see any reason that you should not be let out in the community. but it's the jails say whether or not they let you out.
Better yet, dont play with kittys keystone cops. The best money can buy or duck tickets.
if can't do the time, then don't get drunk and mouth off to the police and assault them. HAHAHA