After hearing an explanation of the mix-up, a judge reinstates charges of attempted murder and kidnapping.
Attempted murder and kidnapping charges were reinstated Monday against a Perry man who was set free last week after county prosecutors failed to make a court date.
Now, law officers must find Ronnie L. McPherson, 53, so he can be tried.
Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney Tonkovich said she did not appear in court last week because she was otherwise occupied.
"At the time the case was called, I was out becoming familiar with the procedures at the new jail," Tonkovich said. "I treat all the cases we handle seriously. When I came back and found out what had happened I went straight to the judge's chambers and explained."
McPherson was charged again Monday with attempted first degree murder and attempted kidnapping after Judge Paula Martin accepted Tonkovich's explanation of why no one from the prosecutor's office was at McPherson's pre-trial conference last week.
Police say McPherson shot Kayla Riley three times March 21 outside an apartment in the 2600 block of Redbud Lane after holding her at gunpoint in his vehicle.
When she dismissed the charges, Martin wrote in a court order that "no assistant district attorney appeared, and according to staff, the district attorney indicated she was not interested in appearing" before the court.
Marlon Williams, an assistant district attorney, was assigned to handle the case.
In her order of dismissal, Martin wrote that Williams agreed to the conference date and was personally notified of the time orally and in writing.
Though admitting a mistake was made, Tonkovich said she was not in the office when the conference took place.
The judge "received information that I was in my office," Tonkovich said. "I don't know how that message was conveyed. I was out doing other office work."
-- Erwin Seba's phone message number is 832-7145. His e-mail address is eseba@ljworld.com.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.