The rest of the story
Monday, Oct 23, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Center Square…
Critics of Illinois’ newly enacted SAFE-T Act argue Michael Perham stands as the symbol of a far bigger problem around the end of cash bail.
The 52-year-old Perham is now free on bond after being charged with fatally shooting his longtime girlfriend in their Troy home in September. Earlier this month, a Madison County Circuit Court judge denied a state petition to have him returned to custody on the first-degree charges. Perham’s attorneys insist he acted in self-defense.
State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, criticized the judge’s ruling and the Pretrial Fairness Act that ends cash bail. […]
“We made very clear that these are going to be problems when we have violent criminals able to just walk free,” Caulkins said. “This is a perfect example of what we talked about. It depends on the county, the state’s attorney and the judges, but we’ve certainly taken away one of the tools our judicial system uses to keep our streets safe. This is something the people that passed this law … are going to have to live with. I think Chicago and Cook County have suffered dramatically from this law.”
* And now for the rest of the story. The accused was already out on cash bail…
Michael S. Perham, 52, formerly of Troy and now of Wood River, remains free on $100,000 bond posted Sept. 8.
He has pleaded not guilty. He told authorities he shot Maha Tiimob in self defense. […]
In Perham’s defense, Koester said if the state considers Perham a threat to the community who should be detained, prosecutors could have requested that he not be allowed bail at all under Illinois’ system before the SAFE-T act.
“The state has quite the burden here,” Koester said. “They didn’t do anything to delay or prevent Mr. Perham from posting bond. The state chose not to do that in this case.
“He has been living his life in the community without issue,” she added, referring to Perham’s time free since posting bond. […]
Koester said after the couple argued and Tiimob “charged” at Perham, he first used pepper spray to defend himself. It was only when that didn’t deter her that he used a gun, the defense attorney said. […]
[The judge] did add more stipulations to Perham’s release, however, ordering that Perham have no contact of any kind with potential witnesses in the case, reminding him that he cannot possess or transport any firearms, and specifying that he must surrender his physical FOID card to Troy police by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Wait. They never took his FOID card?
- Dotnonymous x - Monday, Oct 23, 23 @ 1:10 pm:
We (We,we,we) made very clear…Caulkin’s failure was never being able to speak for himself…clearly.
- Annonin' - Monday, Oct 23, 23 @ 1:51 pm:
Did anyone tell Caulkins the SAFe-T act did not kick in til Sept. 18? Wonder local police/judge did not set bond at $1 million Snatch up the gunds and FOID cards?
- Former Downstater - Monday, Oct 23, 23 @ 2:52 pm:
It’s obvious Center Square frames their stories to fit a certain agenda and appeal to a certain demographic. Their publication, their right.
However, I am curious why you still link to them Rich? As they have proven to not be an unbiased source.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 23, 23 @ 2:55 pm:
===why you still link to them===
Lots of newspapers run their stuff, so I like to keep an eye on them.
- charles in charge - Monday, Oct 23, 23 @ 4:31 pm:
Why didn’t the prosecutor move to have this defendant detained no-bond if they were so convinced he’s dangerous? As his attorney pointed out, they had that option. But they found it easier to just ask for a high bond amount believing he wouldn’t be able to pay it. Except they were wrong, so now they’re looking for cover by blaming the SAFE-T Act. These people have no shame.
- vern - Monday, Oct 23, 23 @ 5:55 pm:
So we checked this guy’s wallet in September, and found he was rich enough to walk free while his murder case plays out. That’s the system Caulkins supports. What’s he complaining about?