Police Group Wants Answers After 'Extremely Low' Bail For Accused Cop Killer
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - While North Texas continues to mourn the loss of a second police officer killed in the line of duty this year, members of the Dallas Police Association are angry the man accused of driving drunk and killing Senior Corporal Earl "Jamie" Givens was able to get out of jail in less than 24 hours.
Givens died Saturday doing the job he loved. The man accused of crashing into him -- Adrian Breedlove -- while under the influence was free to go back to his life less than a day later.
But as of Monday, Breedlove was back in custody and will stay there until a judge rules on a motion to increase bond Tuesday morning.
The city's largest police association is demanding answers after a magistrate set what they call "an extremely low bail" for Breedlove. "He was out faster than Jamie Givens body had left the ME (medical examiner) and that's a slap in the face to every uniformed officer in this city," said DPA President Mike Mata. A judge set bail for Breedlove at $76,000 -- that means it cost the young man $7,600 to get released from custody.
Mata said Breedlove, who is charged with Intoxication Manslaughter, "…intentionally, knowingly got behind the wheel and drove that motor vehicle at a high rate of speed intoxicated, twice the legal limit, striking Jamie Givens and killing him. That deserves more than $7,600."
The DPA issued a statement early Monday morning demanding to know if the Dallas County District Attorney fought to get a higher bail for Breedlove.
Defense attorney and former police officer Pete Schulte believes the bond amount was right in line for the crime Breedlove is charged with committing. "If this was a Capital Murder case, which is the murder of a police officer, it [bond] would be a lot higher because that is an intentional act."
Mata said the bail amount set was a missed opportunty to send a message that a victim of drunk driving is worth more. "This is not just because he's a police officer," he said. "Any loss of life, because somebody chooses to drink and drive and kill somebody, should be held to a higher consequence than $7,600 and 24 hours in jail."
Givens was working traffic control for another officer's funeral escort when he was hit and killed. The 55-year-old father of two was only months away from retirement. Rogelio Santander was the other Dallas police officer who died in the line of duty this year. He was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest at a Home Depot store.
CBS 11 News has reached out to the Dallas District Attorney's Office for response to the DPA's questions about Breedlove's bail but so far has not received a response.
Funeral services for Senior Corporal Jamie Givens are set for July 26 at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. A candlelight vigil will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Patrol Division on South Hall Street.
