HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 46-year-old Hutchinson man who was arrested back on Feb. 21 for the alleged kidnapping of a Hutchinson woman appeared via video from the Reno County Correctional Facility where, through his attorney, he argued for a bond reduction.
Michael Meeks is charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, criminal threat and two counts of misdemeanor battery.
He’s alleged to have battered two of the victims by choking them at a residence in the 300 block of West 14th. He’s then alleged to have forced a female victim into his truck where he apparently took her to the Wichita area. The two were located in the Wichita suburb of Haysville by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office.
In court, his attorney argued that the bond should be lowered because he isn’t a flight risk and believes the bond is more than needed to ensure that he appears for future hearings. They wanted the bond lowered to $35,000. But, the state objected, reminding the judge of his past criminal history where he served time in prison and that he is a registered violent offender and believes Meeks to be a danger to the community.
The defense fired back that he has a right to a reasonable bond and that a bond too high is a violation of the Kansas Constitution. They argued that he isn’t a danger and that public safety isn’t the issue. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen took exception to that, saying public safety is something she has to consider. She agreed to lower the bond from $137,500 to $100,000, but told the defense she wouldn’t go any lower.
The defense also wants a preliminary hearing in the case as soon as possible, but Judge Allen indicated that it may be April before that happens. No date was set, but when we learn when that will happen, we’ll pass it along.