Convicted Molester Headed Back To Jail

Friday, August 10th 2007, 9:51 am

By: News On 6

A convicted child molester is back behind bars Friday, less than two months after he was released on bond. Ray Newman walked free, even after he was found guilty, but that freedom came with conditions that a Tulsa judge says he broke. Newman walked into court hands bound, feet shackled. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports it's a fate he avoided for almost two months.

"He was given a huge break. Appellate bonds are very rarely given, especially in cases like this when someone is convicted of lewd molestation,â€ said prosecutor Cindy Cunningham.

Newman was arrested last August, accused of molesting his neighbor's daughter inside his barn, near the girl's home. He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to five years in prison, but he was allowed to post a $1 million bond and walk free, while appealing that conviction.

In exchange for that freedom, he has to wear an ankle monitor and was ordered to stay away from his neighbors and their 14-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors say Newman's ankle monitor showed he was within a half-mile of the victim's home two days in a row last week.

"He was continually asking questions and causing difficulty when again he should have been just thankful that he was out and found a way to conform to those rules,â€ Cunningham said.

Newman's attorney argued his client was never told how far away he had to stay from the victim.

"Mr. Newman and his wife insisted they were never told that. I argued that sort of rule should have been in writing. Every rule that was in writing, he had obeyed,â€ said Newmanâ€™s attorney Creekmore Wallace.

Newman testified that he never would have violated the rules if he'd known them.

"He paid $100,000 to make a million dollar bond to be out from June to August. That's two months. That's an awfully expensive, short vacation,â€ said Wallace.

Tulsa judge Dane Kuehn, who granted the appeals bond, says she was disappointed. She added, when rules are set, you follow the rules, and she sent Ray Newman back behind bars.

Wallace says he will appeal the bond decision.

We spoke with the victim's mother. She says the judge's decision does ease her mind, but this is not a happy situation for anyone involved.

Watch the video: Convicted Molestor In Court

Related Story:

6/14/2007 - Family Is Outraged After Bond Is Granted For A Convicted Molester