BOND HEARING FOR CHRISTOPHER SHOLTES
12TH JULY
STATE - As this court knows and, we've discussed this with previous hearings, the state's recommendation of high bonds with murder cases without criminal history and while the court definitely may consider the lack of criminal history as well as the abuse of the victim, which I understand are in the pre-trial services report, the nature of the offense is also considered as well.
Of most concern to the state in the interim complaint is the lack of true telling by the defendant when interviewed by the police, that was quickly contradicted by police as well as his awareness not only the timing that the car would shut off, but the text messages between him and his wife indicating that there was an awareness that this was an issue long before this happened. So, given the nature of the offense, the state is requesting the million dollar bond.
MOTHER - I would like to be heard please, and your honor, is it ok if I don't show myself?
JUDGE - That's fine.
MOTHER - So, thank you for allowing me to speak. I just wanted to say that no-one understands how great of a tragedy this is, more than myself, my girls, my remaining two daughters, and Christopher. So, not only do we have to move forward with grieving for my daughter but we potentially could be losing their father. So the absolute worst case scenario for our family is if Chris were to be away from us. We're already hurting, no-one else shares this bond and this trauma like all of us, all four of us. I know the significance of the tragedy and I don't want you to think for a second that I underestimate the impact that it has on our lives, on everyone's lives, or that I'm undermining your concerns about the safety of those in our household. So, I'm just asking if you can allow him to come home to us so we can all start the grieving process so that he can bury our daughter with us, this upcoming week, and that we can go through this whole process together as a family and so, I understand that there is concern for flight risk, I just don't see that as a thing. We live in this home that all of our girls were brought home in. If anything, Chris wants to stay here, he's always been cooperative through this entire process and we'll ensure that we have continued cooperation and if there's anything additional that is needed from the courts to ensure our safety, I'm happy to help with those certainties that are needed.
He's an amazing father, he's a pillar of our community, he's been a coach for young kids. He's taken them to school every day, he's been the main caregiver; I work many hours so they're all that he sees. This was a big mistake and I think that this doesn't represent him and I just want the girls to see their father so that I don't have to tell them tonight that they're going to endure another loss. And that's all I have to say your honor.
Judge releases him to pre-trial services and doesn't believe a money bond is appropriate at this time.
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