Bond reduction for murder suspect causes stir
By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN
FORT STOCKTON – A Fort Stockton man accused of killing his girlfriend is out on bond, causing a wave of anger, high emotions, and controversy in the small interstate city and throughout Far West Texas.
Saul Marquez Silvas, 44, is charged in the murder of 22-year-old Brittany Lanay Cartwright. According to police reports, Cartwright was stabbed in her home, fled to a neighbor’s house where paramedics were called and was transported to the Pecos County Medical Center where she died.
The controversy stems from a bond reduction granted for Silvas, who was originally given a $500,000 bond by the local Justice of the Peace. His bond was later reduced to $75,000, allowing him his freedom to remain in his home under certain stipulations.
While out on bond, Silvas must report weekly to the adult probation department, he cannot leave Pecos County without advance permission, he is subject to weekly drug and alcohol tests, must wear a monitoring device, must adhere to a curfew, and he is not allowed to have any contact with the victim’s family.
One of the reasons for the bond reduction was the claim that Silvas was being beaten while in jail at least once. Silvas’ defense attorney is Albert Valadez.
The 83rd District Attorney, Jesse Gonzales, has taken some flack for agreeing to the bond reduction but defended the move saying that bonds aren’t necessarily set based on the severity of the crime.
“Bonds are set to ensure appearance at court,” Gonzales said explaining that it was 112th State Judicial District Court Judge Pedro Gomez who ultimately granted the bond reduction.
“No one is comfortable. Valadez applied for a bond reduction to be set. Once it gets to a number then we ask for conditions to be set,” Gonzales said of the stipulations for Silvas’ bond release.
Gonzales is up for re-election this year and his only opponent, Alpine attorney Rod Ponton took the opportunity to weigh in on the case.
“I find it outrageous that the district attorney would agree to reduce a bond on a man facing a life sentence,” Ponton said, adding that he believes Silvas is a flight risk, despite his bond stipulations.
Ponton said he holds Gonzales accountable for the bond reduction, arguing that the judge only agreed as a result of Gonzales and Valadez coming to an agreement of their own.
Gonzales disagrees. “I’m not the last one that will have a say in the matter. When it comes down to it, the judge is the final authority.”
The victim’s family members are outraged at the bond reduction.
“She left kids behind, three babies. She loved her babies . . . it’s not right. He should pay for what he’s done. He murdered her,” claims Brittany’s Aunt, Patsy Cartwright.
Cartwright’s mother also expressed her feelings,
“How could he actually get out for murdering my daughter? He’s walking free and she can’t walk,” Cartwright’s mother, Sarah Cartwright, said.
Gonzales is well aware of the tense emotions that the family is feeling.
“I don’t blame (them),” Gonzales said of the family’s reaction. “I fully understand it’s an emotionally charged situation for them. We’re caught between the letter of the law and emotion.”
Tasked with prosecuting Silvas, Gonzales hopes this case ends quickly with a solid conviction.
“I’m hoping that this be put on the fast track and get it tried quickly. I want to make sure the system takes its course. My job is to make sure Silvas is tried for what he’s done,” said Gonzalez.
“Sometimes the road is bumpy but we’ll get there.”
(with information from CBS7 and the Fort Stockton Pioneer)
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