Tensions were high on Thursday at a hearing to review the $1.5 million bond for a Roxboro man charged with nearly two dozen child sex offenses.
The offenses allegedly occurred between 1984 and 1989. And after there was initially one victim listed, officials say that number how now grown to three victims.
Assistant District Attorney Byron Beasley said in court that the victims varied in age between four and 15 years old over the course of the allegations.
Alleged victims and supporters of Donald Roy Smith were in the courtroom – sitting next to each other in some cases – as the irregularities grew out of a normally run-of-the-mill procedure.
Smith, of Main Street in Roxboro, was arrested last Friday morning and made his first appearance on Tuesday afternoon, after the long holiday weekend. At that hearing, his bond was held at $1.5 million to allow an evaluation from pretrial release services. There were also concerns because Smith has cancer and is not able to take all of his prescribed medication because it is deemed a narcotic and, therefore, not allowed in the jail.
Following the evaluation from pretrial release, and the confirmation that Smith has no other criminal record, officials deemed that Smith was not likely to skip out on his next court date.
At that point, with everything going at a relatively normal pace, Judge Lunsford Long was prepared to lower Smith’s bond to $100,000 secured, which would allow his home to be put up for bond.
An associate of one of the alleged victims then stood up in the courtroom and expressed concern over pretrial release meeting with only those supporting Smith.
Long said he understood the concerns those associated with the alleged victims put forward.
“Some people might run from a life sentence and give up their house,” Long said. “I can understand why people might think that that might happen.”
After a brief recess to allow pretrial release to speak with the group voicing concerns over the lowered bond, some of the apprehensions seemed to be alleviated and Long went forward with the lowering of the bond to $100,000.
Defense Attorney George Doyle then said that Smith’s supporters were willing to put up half of the bond in cash on Thursday, if the judge would allow him to be released, rather than waiting for the documents to come through regarding Smith’s home.
That request was denied, but the abnormalities continued.
Prosecutor Beasley said that there seemed to be a need to extend the no-contact provision of Smith’s bond to all of those supporting Smith in the case in order to protect the alleged victims and their families.
“Investigator Hunter let me know that one of these gentlemen that’s here on his behalf – that may or may not be willing to put up money today – is taking pictures of these folks here in the courtroom today,” Beasley said. “If that’s true, that’s ridiculous.”
“You need to get your client’s supporters under control or they’re going to compromise his case, Mr. Doyle,” Long warned.
In the end, Long went forward with the reduction of bond to $100,000 secured against Smith’s home and ordered there be no contact between Smith and any of the alleged victims or there family members.
Smith is slated for his next court date on July 25.
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