‘Bail Reform Nightmare’
Requires Delaware Sheriff
To Ignore Better Instincts
Suspect In Forcible Home Entry Released
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
DELHI – It’s another example of “the bail reform nightmare,” said Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond after he was required this week to release a suspect who allegedly forced his way into a Walton home, stole prescription drugs and choked a female occupant.
“It is still very difficult for me to fathom a world where a criminal can physically break into an innocent victim’s home, violently attack the victim by means of strangulation, and be released back into the community,” the sheriff said. “Who really believes this is in the best interests of criminal justice?
“The victims of crimes are real and being ignored as a result of the miscarriage of justice caused by the governor and state Legislature,” he said.
Upon arrival at the scene Tuesday after a 911 call, Sheriff’s deputies were informed that the suspect had fled from the residence prior to their arrival. Investigation identified the suspect as Ryan W. Kite, 40, of Walton.
Deputies subsequently located Kite in the Village of Walton Tuesday evening, arrested him and charged with one count of Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C violent felony, and the misdemeanor offenses of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation.
Kite was arraigned in the Walton Village Court and, due to recently enacted bail reform legislation, was released on his own recognizance pending his appearance in the Town of Walton Court on a later date.
Being the victim of this crime, I absolutely understand their hands were tied thanks to the new bail reform Governor Andrew Cuomo set in motion. I simply pray that this new law does not scare victims into silence in fear of retribution from the offender.
This is not the first victim of the new “bail reform act”, and it won’t be the last. Our governor has made the criminals feel powerful, and the communities unsafe. This is not ok on SO MANY LEVELS.
Where is the justice?
Hello my daughter daughter fell victim of a 20-year criminal released back out on the streets in Muncie In. he had a criminal past violent criminal past and still was released at the end of May 2020 he murdered my daughter beat her to death and strangled her on August 3rd 2020 my daughter’s name is Ashley Marie Bennett .facing a trial with a jury Bell reform is no good and catch and release is no good you can have catch and release but you should not be able to let them out if they have a criminal record or a violent criminal record your unleashing wild animals onto the residents of Delaware county .