Reports from Associated Press in Florida indicate Williams released a Florida felon on $25,000 bond today. Oscar Richardson, 61, has been on the lam from the Sunshine State for 30 years after breaking out of prison, where he was serving a 10-year sentence for committing two violent crimes:
The news prompted an angry response from agency commissioner Gerald Bailey, who blasted the Missouri judge for allowing the release.
"I am shocked and extremely disappointed by the irresponsible decision of Judge Tony Williams to allow Oscar Richardson to post bond," Bailey said. "Allowing this fugitive to walk out of a courtroom after hiding from authorities for 30 years diminishes the seriousness of his crimes and shows a lack of sensitivity for those he victimized."
Richardson's criminal history dates to January 1977, when he held two employees at gunpoint at a Tampa drugstore and demanded money from the store safe. Later that year, he used a gun to rob a Tampa convenience store. He was arrested, convicted and sentenced to serve 10 years in prison.
But in March of 1979, Richardson escaped from the Kissimmee Work Release Center. Madden said shortly after his escape, Richardson made his way to Missouri, where he lived in the same house for 26 years.
Supposedly one of our Constitutional rights is the right to bail if not a flight risk.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida escapee has been obeying the law in Missouri for over 26 years.
Of course the fools on this forum don't believe in obeying the laws of the land and get annoyed when judges do so.
Except for the fact that he BROKE OUT OF JAIL!
ReplyDeleteIf we're just judging by the guy's past behavior...breaking out of jail and hiding in Missouri...I'd say he would be considered to be a "flight risk."
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of a responsible person can not see that this guy was a flight risk. It was exactly that (fleeing) that allowed him to hide out for 30 years, avoiding his punishment.
ReplyDeleteThese judges had better be careful who they allow to walk free these days. Killers, pedophiles, and such need to be held behind bars. Society depends on these judges to protect them from these evil criminals.
Kudos to Judge Williams for doing the right thing with Pete Newman yesterday in not allowing him back out on bail.
When judges fail society, they need to held accountable.....firstly by the NATIONAL MEDIA.