Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jul 2002
Source: Daily Ardmoreite, The (OK)
Copyright: 2002 Daily Ardmoreite
Contact: http://ardmoreite.com/stText/sendLetter.html
Website: http://www.ardmoreite.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1574
Author: Marsha Miller, News Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

TWO WOMEN PROTEST BOND SET BY JUDGE FOR MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING

Two rural Ratliff City women demonstrated early today in front of the 
courthouse protesting a $10,000 bond that allows a Kingman, Ariz., man 
freedom pending the outcome of his trial on a drug trafficking charge in 
Carter County District Court.

Angela Cortez said she and her mother, 78-year-old Lois Butler, were 
calling for an increase in bond in the case charging 54-year-old Jimmy V. 
Martin with trafficking methamphetamine.

"My purpose for being here is I want that bond upped," Cortez said. "His 
bond when he was arrested was $250,000. It was then reduced to $10,000 and 
he had been running for a year when they caught him. We (Carter County) 
taxpayers had to pay for them to extradite him from Arizona back to Ardmore."

Martin, along with Cortez's son, Teddy Lee Hill, 25, were targeted in a 
Carter County Sheriff's Department narcotics investigation in February 2001.

Cortez claims the investigation was the result of information she provided 
investigators.

Hill was arrested in April, 2001 and held on a $100,000 bond. An arrest 
warrant, carrying the $250,000 bond, was issued for Martin at the same 
time. Hill, who was Martin's son-in-law, later entered a guilty plea in his 
case and turned state's evidence against his father-in-law.

Hill is currently serving his sentence at a state prison.

Martin was snared in February after being stopped on a traffic violation in 
Arizona. Sheriff Harvey Burkhart and Deputy Tom Allen traveled to Kingman 
to transport him back to Carter County for trial.

During his initial court appearance in front of District Judge Tom Walker a 
few days after his return, bond was set at $10,000. Martin, who was 
represented by an attorney and who had no prior convictions, posted the 
bond and was released from the county jail.

But Cortez says the $10,000 bond isn't enough. She claims Martin has 
threatened her life and the lives of her mother and her husband. She wants 
"protection" in the form of a high dollar bond.

"I'm afraid of the man. We never know when he's going to be around," she 
said. "My life is worth as much as District Attorney Mitch Sperry's."

Special District Judge Charles Tate recently set a $1 million bond for a 
drug suspect who allegedly made a death threat against Sperry.

Cortez says she also fears for the safety of her grandchildren who she 
thinks are living with Martin, or are at least in very close contact with 
their grandfather.

"My grandchildren are doomed to a life of drugs," she said.

Earlier this year Martin was bound over for trial based on evidence 
presented at his preliminary hearing. However, the bond he posted at his 
initial appearance remained in effect. Court records show Martin made a 
formal arraignment appearance in district court at 9 a .m. Wednesday. He 
was a week late.

Last week, Burke Mordy, Martin's attorney, told Walker his client was 
unable to be in court but indicated he would appear Wednesday. Courthouse 
sources said at the time Walker issued a bench warrant for Martin's arrest, 
but indicated he would rescind the warrant if Martin did in fact appear 
before him Wednesday.

During formal arraignment proceedings Martin entered a not guilty plea and 
his case was set for trial. But at the same time Mordy filed a motion to be 
released from the case.

Cortez claims the case has been filled with delays and continuances and she 
believes the system is failing her.

"I stood up for America. I stood up for justice and this is what I get," 
she said, adding she does not believe she is being adequately informed 
about Martin's dates on the court calendar.

Walker was not in his office or available for comment when the 
demonstration got under way before 8 a.m. Sperry called the demonstration 
an exercise of Cortez's rights.

"I've spoken with Ms. Cortez on numerous occasions and tried to discuss 
with her the case involving Mr. Martin and her son. In fact she called 
earlier this week and I explained the status of the case and Mr. Martin's 
next scheduled appearance," Sperry said.

"Ms. Cortez has the right to voice her opinion. She's entitled to her 
opinion and to voice it in the manner she deems most appropriate."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager