Second Report from Winston Courtroom - Just a Little Different

 

Three days ago we published a "leaker's" report concerning the arraignment of Christian Modas in his Felony Murder case. At the end of the report, we mentioned four items that could be used in rebuttal. One of these items was the act of the Winston County judge in raising Modas' bond from one million to two million.

We'll also note that the judge, Michael Newell, ruled there was enough evidence presented during the court proceeding to establish the need for the case to be presented to a Winston County grand jury. As for the million dollar increase in bond amount? That is, as they say, an interesting story.

On the late afternoon of March 27th, Terry Lewis and his wife were travelling on County Road 2. While we don't know in which direction, the Lewises wanted to turn onto County Road 18, but were unable to do so due to the position of Christian Modas' parked vehicle at the intersection. Lewis left his Jeep in order to speak with Modas. Testimony presented by Mrs. Lewis indicated that, after an angry altercation, Modas turned down County Road 2 while the Lewis' Jeep began to travel on County Road 18.

Within a very short time frame, Modas' vehicle again appeared, this time behind the Lewis Jeep. This indicated that Modas had either made a loop a short distance to the south or had turned around in the road.

This, the judge proclaimed, was something he had not known at the original bond hearing. Judge Newell felt this maneuver indicated an attempt to harm Mr. Lewis. For that reason, he increased the bail to two million dollars.

The above was taken from an account by Erin Wise of ABC 33/40 News who was in the courtroom during the arraignment. We think most will agree that Ms. Wise was an impartial observer.