TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe says he’s frustrated and disappointed that the Washington Legislature has failed for a second year to pass a bill setting a mandatory minimum upfront payment for bail
He told The News Tribune (http://is.gd/z9pocc ) an initiative may be needed to address the problem that became evident after Maurice Clemmons killed four Lakewood police officers. Clemmons had won release on a pending child rape charge by paying $8,000 or about 4 percent of his $190,000 bail.
A task force on the issue could not agree on a minimum upfront payment, but it sent recommendations to the Legislature that were in a bill that died Friday.
The task force of lawmakers, prosecutors, defense lawyers and bail agents will take up the issue again this summer.
