In the case of the State of Texas vs. Billy Benjamen (Ben) Barlow, bond has been lowered from $600,000 to $75,000 following a writ of habeas corpus hearing with Judge Patrick Simmons held Wednesday, August 10, 2016.
During the hearing, the defendant claimed the original bond to be excessive and oppressive according to Article 11.07 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Ben was charged with two first degree felonies and subsequently turned himself in for alleged Attempt of Capital Murder and Injury to a Child; and he has been in the custody of Freestone County.
Ben has since bonded out; and must adhere to the following:
–GPS Monitoring
–Must live within Freestone County
–May only leave his residence for the purposes of work or a medical emergency
–Must submit to mental health care
–Must abide by a curfew of 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
–May not be around or have any conduct with persons under the age of 17
–Must have no contact with the alleged victim or any of their family members
The defendant is represented by attorney J. Joseph Mongaras of Dallas.
Prosecutor for the state is Assistant Attorney General, Jane Scarnes, who has been appointed as District Attorney Pro-Tem in place of Freestone County District Attorney, Chris Martin.
Martin has recused himself from this case, stating that he has been long time friends of the Barlow family; he works closely with Mr. Barlow (Ben’s father), as he is the Chief of Police for FISD; and that Ben previously served in the position of jailer for the Freestone County Jail.
