07/24/2019
This from long-time CMCW Volunteer, Cheryl Jones, who reflects on just one "alleged" very dangerous offender. Point: there is no justice from predators for innocent people (victims). It's lengthy, but worth a read. --------
Cheryl writes -
Normally I don’t look at Domestic Violence (DV) cases. Several reasons that I won’t go into here, but suffice to say they are more complicated, and have more “moving” parts than drugs, larceny, assault and yes, even murder.
Because of the issues this county has with bond amounts, I decided to look into TB Moss’ history. The following is a good picture of the bonds, or lack of bonds, in this county.
TB Moss was convicted in 1980 and1990 for Assault on a Female. In 1995, he was convicted for Assault with a Deadly Weapon (AWDISI). He was sentenced for the AWDISI to a minimum of 1 year 11 months and a maximum of 3 years 1 month. His sentence began in August of 1995 and parole began in Sept of 1999.
Only the last 3 years of arrests are shown on the sheriff’s website. The first arrest I’m able to see is in June 30, 2019. The arrest was for Assault on a Female. Unfortunately, this state (and most) consider assault on a female a misdemeanor, but, and this is very significant, this is a crime of which Mr. Moss had been convicted twice. The magistrate who can see the record and in their infinite wisdom, issued a $2,000 secured bond. Moss bonded out July 2, 2019.
On July 3, 2019, Moss was arrested again. This time for two Domestic Violence (DV) Protective Order Violations. July 8, 2019, while he was still in jail, he was served with another Domestic Violence (DV) Protective Order Violation and Harassing Phone Calls. In case you’re not keeping score, that’s *three* Domestic Violence (DV) Protective Order Violations and one Harassing Phone Call charge.
HE WAS RELEASED ON PRE-TRIAL RELEASE! The victim went to the courthouse, got a Domestic Violence (DV) Protective Order against him. As a rule, people don’t get a Protective Order against someone unless they are afraid of that person. When Mr. Moss appeared in court on July 11, 2019, the Pre-Trial Release (PTR) people were there and asked the judge to release him on PTR. The judge agreed. Mr. Moss walked out of the jail July 15, 2019. I don't know why it took him another 4 days to be released, but it did.
TB Moss is a prime example of what I’ve been saying for years – THE MAGISTRATES AND SOME JUDGES DON’T GIVE THESE CRIMINALS AND THEIR POTENTIAL OF BEING A THREAT TO THIS COMMUNITY ANY CONSIDERATION UNTIL THEY KILL OR ATTEMPT TO KILL SOMEONE. It has happened.
July 22, 2019, Mr. Moss proved my point. His “alleged” crimes are: Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon – Gun, 3 charges of Discharging a Firearm in the City, 4 charges of Discharging Weapon in Occupied Property, Domestic Violence (DV) Protection Violation with Deadly Weapon, Stolen Firearm, Possession of Firearm by Felon and Resisting Public Officer. His bond for these charges is over $600,000/secured.
It is “alleged” he shot his victim, a city bus driver, at the public transit center. He is charged with with the crime, carried out in broad daylight (12:30 p.m.) Police found him not far from the scene and he had a gun.
Some in the media speculate he won’t be getting out of jail anytime soon because of his high bond. Where there is a will there is a way. If he wants to get out bad enough, he’ll find people to put up their homes, cars, anything they have of value to secure his bond. And, a sympathetic will order he be put on Electronic Monitor (EM) I’ve seen it happen many times before. The EM would last about as long as it takes Mr Moss to cut it off.
The burning question: Why was his bond for the Assault on a Female only $2,000/secured when he had been convicted twice for this? It's public record. Why was he given PTR and allowed to walk out of the jail for violating the Protective Order against him – not once, but 3 times – and had made Harassing Phone Calls. According to the victim, he had threatened to kill her and her family and had called her cellphone 100 times.
What will it take for our magistrates and most of our judges to consider the rights of the public to be protected from these thugs? Do they or, God forbid, one of their loved ones have to become a victim? When are we going to start holding our Criminal Justice System, beyond the police who have *done* their jobs, accountable for the safety of innocent people?
