An illegal immigrant accused of causing a car crash that killed a Washington state police officer had his bail significantly reduced, thanks to his lawyers arguing that he was not a flight risk.
The case involves Raul Benitez Santana, a 33-year-old Mexican national who has been in the United States illegally for more than 10 years. On March 2, the vehicle Santana was driving crashed into a police cruiser parked on the southbound shoulder of Interstate 5 near Marysville, Washington, about 40 miles north of Seattle.
Gadd’s widow, Camryn Gadd, said reducing Santana’s bail “not only diminishes the seriousness of the crime, but also causes further pain and suffering to me, my children, and the rest of my family.” he argued.
Officer Christopher Gadd, 27, a two-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol, was sitting in his patrol vehicle at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind his wife and 2-year-old daughter, The Blaze News previously reported.
Santana has been convicted of a series of misdemeanor traffic-related offenses, including driving with a suspended license. Hours after the accident that killed Gad, Santana admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking two beers the night before. evidence It was also suggested that Gadd was driving erratically, speeding at 112mph and crashing into Gadd’s car seconds earlier.
Santana’s lawyers have previously argued that the accident was a tragic accident caused by Gadd sitting in the vehicle without the lights on.
Santana was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. after that, Snohomish County Jail Bail was ordered at $1 million.
But last week, Santana’s attorneys, Emily Hancock and Tiffany Mecca, filed a motion to reduce their client’s bail. They claimed Santana had three children and a steady job as a mechanic. They also noted that he has the support of other family members living elsewhere in the state.
“Upon his release, his parents will return him home,” the lawyers wrote. “He is not a flight risk.”
Gad’s widow, Camryn Gaddcountered that reducing Santana’s bail would “not only diminish the seriousness of the crime, but also cause further pain and suffering to me, our children, and the rest of our family.”
On Friday, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Richard Okrent sided with the defense and agreed to reduce Santana’s bail to $100,000, just one-tenth of the original amount. Deputy Prosecutor Tobin Darrow said shortly afterward he was “very disappointed” with the decision.
Meanwhile, Hancock and Mecca supported it. “Mr. Benitez Santana is a long-time member of our community, and Washington state is definitely his home,” they wrote in an emailed statement. “The court did the right thing in upholding Washington state law and policy and lowering bail in this case.”
However, Hancock and Mecca have one concern. After Santana’s arrest, ICE issued an immigration warrant for Santana. They fear that if Mr. Santana is released on bail, federal immigration officials could take him into custody and possibly deport him to Mexico.
“The United States Constitution and the Washington State Constitution clearly guarantee the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial for every individual in our country. [U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service]these fundamental rights are permitted to be circumvented,” they said.
Darrow told HeraldNet he hopes federal officials will allow Santana to stand trial in Snohomish County even though there is an immigration detainer there.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Santana remained in custody at the county jail.
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