Chief Objects After Suspect Who Threatened To Kill Cop Released
Podcast
RIVERSIDE, Ill. (CBS) -- In an unusual move, a suburban police chief has filed an official complaint against a judge for letting a defendant walk without a cash bond.
WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel alleged 21-year-old Jaime Castellano twice threatened to kill officers with an ice pick after a two-block chase in the suburb.
Judge Ann Finley Collins ordered Castellano placed on electronic monitoring when he appeared in court in Maywood.
"He was given an i-bond, which is a signature bond, which required no cash posted. Now, I'm not advocating for what bond amount should be set, but I am extremely upset that there would be no cash bond required," he said. "I don't think it's appropriate that there be no cash bond required for a defendant when they appear on a charge of aggravated battery and aggravated assault on a police officer."
Weitzel alleged Castellano visited Riverside with the intent of killing a former employer.
"The whole physical confrontation between the ice pick-wielding individual and the officer occurred within 7 feet of one another," he said. "It occurred in a public space. It occurred in front of other residents who had come out of their homes to see what disturbance was taking place, and I don't think it's appropriate that there be no cash bond required."
The chief said he has filed a complaint with Maywood Chief Judge Cheryl Ingram, who told him she discussed the issue with Collins.
"I can't imagine a reason that a judge would give a signature bond only, with electronic monitoring, to a defendant that threatened to kill a police officer," Weitzel said.
