Man Released on Bond Allegedly Strikes Again
According to reports, authorities believe that thirty-seven year-old Frank Huber Sumner attacked and robbed an eighty-four year old female victim just hours after being released on his own recognizance due to being arrested for allegedly attacking and robbing a seventy-nine year old woman. He was thus arrested for a second time early Wednesday morning and is being held on a $300,000 bond. It is important to note that Mr. Sumner is presumed innocent of these charges until he is found guilty or admits guilt in a court of law.
Committing an offense while you are out on bail for another offense is never an advisable course of action for many reasons. First, committing such an offense undoubtedly violates the terms of the defendant’s release from jail on the previous charge. Second, committing an offense while on bail for another offense can be used as an enhancement factor under Tennessee law, allowing a judge to increase the sentence the defendant receives for the second offense if the defendant is indeed found guilty of both offenses. Third, the circumstances surrounding the second offense can, as they do here, tie the two offenses together by providing a common scheme or plan (here, purse-snatching from elderly ladies) that may make it easier to prove the defendant committed one or both offenses. Fourth, it is simply never advisable to break the law regardless of whether you are out on bail or not.
Unfortunately, circumstances in life often result in defendant’s facing dilemmas such as being charged with multiple offenses or violating parole or bond conditions. When that happens, defendants should turn to experienced criminal defense counsel to assist them in getting the situation resolved while facing as little jail time as possible. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced Knoxville defense attorney today for assistance with your case.
Source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101105/NEWS03/101105028/Police++Man+released+after+robbing+elderly+woman++strikes+again+12+hours+later+
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