More than seven weeks ago, a mental health official recommended a Montezuma County jail inmate be admitted to a state hospital.<\/p>\n
Tobin Ethington, 33, of Cortez has been in custody since his arrest on May 30. He\u2019s charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest after he allegedly hit a 50-year-old Mancos man over the head with a metal cotter pin.<\/p>\n
At a bond hearing on Tuesday, July 22, public defender Amy R. Smith requested a personal recognizance bond so her client could receive \u201cbetter\u201d and \u201cmore consistent\u201d mental health treatment, adding the jail offered \u201cintermittent\u201d mental health care at best.<\/p>\n
\u201cA $2,000 bond for second-degree assault is pretty low,\u201d said Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors argued against altering bond, citing the defendant was a \u201cdanger to the community.\u201d The request was denied.<\/p>\n
Court records reveal the defendant requires a \u201chigher level of care,\u201d and should be placed at the Colorado Mental Health Institute. A trial date is set for Nov. 3.<\/p>\n
Shooting plea<\/p>\n
A second man pleaded guilty in connection to a residential shooting that occurred over a pair of sunglasses on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n
Jordan Hanks, 25, of Cortez pleaded guilty to felony menacing and reckless endangerment charges last week. He faces a 24-month deferred sentence and judgment and concurrent probation at sentencing on Sept. 4. The maximum penalty is six years.<\/p>\n
According to court records, the victim was held at gunpoint when one round was fired inside the home over a pair of stolen sunglasses. Last month, a codefendant involved with the S. Maple Street shooting received a similar sentence.<\/p>\n
Court shows love<\/p>\n
The second suspect in a Valentine\u2019s Day home invasion was granted a continuance last week so his attorney could consider a plea deal.<\/p>\n
Gary Soza, 38, of Cortez faces felony second-degree burglary, criminal mischief and theft charges in connection a County Road 33 residential burglary. His case was continued to Aug. 7.<\/p>\n
Soza and a codefendant allegedly smashed through a window of the home, and stole eight antique Kachina dolls valued at $4,000, an air compressor, greenhouse, turkey cooker, necklace and a Blue Ray player on Valentine\u2019s Day. Charges also remain pending against the other suspect.<\/p>\n