Bill prevents some defendants the right to bail

Lori Prichard reportingDavid Ragsdale sits in the Utah County jail, in part, due to a bill that went into effect the same day Gov. Huntsman signed it.

David Ragsdale has been in jail for more than four months, since the day he allegedly shot his wife to death. In most criminal cases, defendants are entitled to a chance at bail while awaiting trial but not Ragsdale.

Right now, David Ragsdale is in jail facing charges of aggravated murder for allegedly killing his wife Kristy in a Lehi church parking lot.

A month ago, Ragsdale could have walked away from jail on bail but not anymore. That's thanks in part, says Sen. Jon Greiner, to the Utah Attorney General's Office. Greiner says, "They didn't want to give somebody the opportunity to kill someone and bail out if they had the resources before the county attorney had the opportunity to go after the death penalty as part of the sentencing process."

Greiner, who also happens to be Ogden's Police Chief, pushed the bill through this session.

Signed by the governor, it went into effect immediately. "It must have been fortuitous by the attorney general to think that there might be a circumstance where it would arise, and that we got it done in time," Greiner said. It was done in time to keep accused killers like Ragsdale in jail on aggravated murder charges, charges that could have previously allowed Ragsdale out of jail on bail.

It is certainly a relief to Kristy Ragsdale's mother, Ann Palizzi. Last month, she told Eyewitness News he would come after her, if he got the chance. She said, "I know he'll do it again if he's ever given the opportunity." When asked if she thought she would be next, Palizzi replied, "Yes, I do."

We spoke to David Ragsdale's attorney today about the issue of bail. He says the issue could come up depending on the outcome of the preliminary hearing in May. But, even he acknowledges that bail for Ragsdale is unlikely.

E-mail: lprichard@ksl.com

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