Thread: Victim's Parents Work For Tighter Bail Rules for Illegals

Victim's parents work for tighter bail rules for illegals


CHRISTINA APPLEGATE
HOW TO HELP
The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of Juan Bautista. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Detective Tim O'Brien at (856) 498-5485 or (856) 384-5500.





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• Christina Applegate

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Sunday, June 25, 2006


By JAMES P. QUARANTA
Gannett New Jersey

FRANKLIN
Friends and family of Christina Applegate -- who has yet to recover from injuries suffered when her car was struck by an alleged drunken driver -- want tougher restrictions on immigrants in the country illegally and people who are potential flight risks from justice.

They've enlisted the support of state Sen. Fred Madden, D-Washington Township, and Assemblyman Nelson Albano, D-Vineland, to amend parts of the state criminal code to do just that.

Applegate, an employee at the Wawa in Franklinville, was 21 when her car was struck by a vehicle driven by a drunken driver in September 2003, authorities said. She has been in a coma ever since.

Authorities believe the suspect, Juan Bautista, has fled the country.

"It has been two years since this person disappeared, and we're no closer to finding him now than we were in the beginning," said Sue Applegate, the victim's mother-in-law.

"His first bail was $10,000 and he was released within an hour on 10 percent."

After the charges were increased because of Christina Applegate's condition, he was arrested again. Bail was set at $35,000, "but he got out that night," Sue Applegate said.

Franklin Police Chief Michael DiGiorgio said investigators determined Bautista had a fictitious Mexican driver's license and did not possess a visa or work permit.

Albano has introduced a companion bill to Madden's that would eliminate the 10 percent bail provision in cases where a judge has reason to believe the defendant is a flight risk. Applegate is also pushing for higher bail amounts in similar cases.

Reach James P. Quaranta at jquaranta@thedailyjournal.com

Franklin Police Chief Michael DiGiorgio said investigators determined Bautista had a fictitious Mexican driver's license and did not possess a visa or work permit.

Gee, he only came here to make a better life for himself.