On their 11 o’clock newscast last night, KGW (who has been covering this case since the beginning) reported that the family of accused road rager Johnny Eschweiler has freed him on a reduced bail.
KGW reporter Scott Burton said that Eschweiler’s attorney, “argued the (bail) amount (originally set at $500,000) was not only excessive but unconstitutional…and the Judge agreed.”
KGW says the Judge allowed Escweiler’s family to free him on $50,000, just 10% of the original bail amount.
The KGW video shows victim Ben Ramsdell taking the stand (still in a neck brace) and saying, “whether or intentional or accidental I think he deserves to remain exactly where he is.”
A friend of Eschweiler described him as shy and testified that, “I’ve driven with him a number of times, and he’s also avoided accidents a number of times…a little shy, very mild.”
According to the the KGW report, Eschweiler will not be allowed to drive and must wear a GPS-enabled ankle bracelet 24 hours a day until the case is resolved.
Watch the full story on KGW.com (registration might be required).
Read my special coverage of this story.