Three individuals, previously released on personal recognizance (PR) bonds following competency evaluations, are now missing and are wanted for various legal violations. This situation has raised significant concerns regarding public safety and the judicial system’s handling of mentally incompetent defendants.
Clifford Thomas, 38, is among those who have vanished. After a brief period during which he was determined to be competent to stand trial, he was released from jail but has not been seen since his release. His criminal background includes a number of violent offenses, which amplifies the concern surrounding his disappearance.
Ashlee Redmon, 29, was also released on a PR bond after being deemed mentally competent in a case involving aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She has been on the run since August 25, raising alarms for law enforcement and community members alike.
Additionally, Alonzo Walker, who was placed on probation for burglary, was similarly found competent to stand trial. However, court records indicate he has failed to adhere to the conditions of his probation, which included mandatory mental health treatment and residency in a treatment facility.
Andy Kahan from Crime Stoppers expressed concern over this ongoing cycle, stating, “This is a vicious cycle. Nobody wins in this cycle. This isn’t good for the defendants. Let’s be real, if you’re declared incompetent, how can you seriously be restored to competency within a matter of months and we don’t keep them in custody? We generally release them on a PR bond.”
In August, there was a report concerning seven defendants who had fled after being found competent to stand trial. After that report, the Sheriff’s office took action, resulting in those individuals being returned to custody.
