Bad Publicity

For those who haven't visited the National Association of Bail Enforcement Agent's Website lately, there's an article posted in their "News" section concerning a bondsman who was sentenced to a 25-year to life term for shooting a fugitive in the buttocks when the bondsman tried to apprehend him. Much like the scenerio in Pittsburgh, the bondsman (Danny Buchanan) shot the fugitive (Kevin Binson) when he believed the fugitive was reaching for a weapon.

Again, we can second-guess Buchanan's actions six ways to Sunday, but the real trajedy is that the jury did not believe Buchanan's self-defense arguement nor his right to recaputure the fugitive and take him by force if necessary. Interestingly, the judge in the case thought the sentence was too harsh, but was forced to inflict such a severe penalty due to Florida's "mandatory minimum" sentening guidelines.

More ironically, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is pushing legislation to give ordinary citizens (who already have the right to carry concealed weapons)the right to shoot back at people who shoot at them. This certainly begs the question that if ordinary citizens can "fight crime," why is a bondsman licensed by the state of Florida and granted powers under constitutional law being penalized for doing his duty?

Perhaps some communication between the bail enforcment/bonding industry and Gov. Bush to grant a pardon or, at worst clemency, is in order.

Jay L. Smith

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Jay, That article along with a long line of posts regarding it are on this web site. Check out bondsman gets 25years or something close to it in the open forum section of this web site.

Robert:

Thanks for alerting me to that thread. Since much has been said about it already, I probably won't post a reply. However, I will weigh in on the matter of further regulation of BEA's at a future date.

In the meantime, I'd like to get input from some of the veterans on the wisdom of using a stun gun and/or Taser in fugitive apprehension. I saw were Taser was mounting a public relations campaign to counter of the the negative publicity it has received from recent lawsuits. I was curious to know if this is something that BEA's should lend their support?

Jay L. Smith

_________________
MSL Media Enterprises
"Information Consultants serving the Virginias & Ohio"
Editorial consulting*public records research*process serving*asset/heir location
24-hour phone/fax 1-866-401-2758
"One man with courage is a majority" - Andrew Jackson

Jay we have a lenthy thread on this topic also in this forum. We have posted quite a bit of opinions about the Tazer here.