Graffiti suspect wants out of jail

A hearing is set for today on a request from graffiti suspect Jonathon Walker to be released from Douglas County Jail on his own recognizance or with a bail reduction.

Walker has been in jail on $50,000 bail since his arrest June 7 with three juveniles in connection with graffiti and vandalism at six Carson Valley churches.

Walker's lawyer, Tom Gregory, argued in a motion that his client's bail is so high, "it's akin to no bail."

Walker, 19, Ronald Bronk, 17, Ryan Schuricht, 17 and Kylie Antti, 17, were accused of defacing the six churches with obscenities and satanic references to "666," in connection with the date of the damage, June 6, 2006.

The juveniles have admitted the charges and face disposition before District Court Judge Michael Gibbons on July 10.

Walker has been charged with six gross misdemeanor counts of damage to property used for religious purposes.

"The contents of the graffiti, while unpopular and ill-advised, did not contain specific threats of violence to any individuals or groups," Gregory said in his motion to East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl.

He argued Walker did not pose a threat to the community.

Gregory said damage estimates were being calculated, but were expected to be $3,000 or less.

He said if Walker were released on his own recognizance or allowed to bail out, he would live with his father.

"This is his first contact with the adult criminal system," Gregory said.

The lawyer said Walker wished to address the judge at his hearing.

On Monday, Gibbons declined to release Bronk from juvenile detention because his parents were unable to afford equipment necessary for electronic monitoring and his mother said she was unable to physically supervise her son because she works.

"I'd like to be able to get a job to be able to pay all the restitution," Bronk said, asking for his release.

Gibbons said he wasn't concerned that the vandalism would occur again, but because of the number of offenses and the premeditation, he would not release Bronk.

Lawyer Terri Roeser said she felt her client was being singled out because one co-defendant had been released and the girl was never detained.

"She drove the individuals to all six churches," Roeser alleged. "I'm not sure why she's being treated so leniently."

Gibbons said Bronk was detained because he lives in Mound House and had the most charges against him of the juveniles.

The judge said he was asked by juvenile probation to detain the boys because they were out on their own and not living with their families.

After Schuricht's parents were able to show that they could supervise their son or he could be under electronic monitoring, he was released to their custody.

Gibbons told Bronk's mother if supervision can be arranged, he would reconsider releasing her son.

Roeser said since Bronk has been in juvenile detention, he's written apologies to the pastors of the six churches.

"I'm happy to hear he's taken that responsibility on," Gibbons said.

Damage was discovered at Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Gall Catholic Church and Carson Valley United Methodist Church in Gardnerville, Day Springs Christian Assembly on Tillman Lane in the Gardnerville Ranchos and Hilltop Community Church and Shepherd of the Sierra Church in northern Douglas County.

Graffiti also was discovered at Douglas High School and town homes on Ironwood Drive.

The graffiti was quickly cleaned up by church members and other volunteers.