Bonding law changes sought after death of Ada teenager

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A state senator introduces legislation that would allow judges to deny bond when a suspect is considered dangerous. <br/><br/>Senator Susan Paddock of Ada introduced the Caitlin Wooten

Wednesday, December 7th 2005, 6:16 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A state senator introduces legislation that would allow judges to deny bond when a suspect is considered dangerous.

Senator Susan Paddock of Ada introduced the Caitlin Wooten Act on Monday.

The proposed law is named after 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten, who was abducted by her mother's former boyfriend and shot to death September 23rd.

The ex-boyfriend, Jerry Don Savage, was arrested on August 29th for kidnapping Wooten's mother, Donna, at gunpoint. Special District Judge John David Miller couldn't deny bond because Savage hadn't been arrested for first-degree murder. Bond was set at 250-thousand dollars and Savage bailed out of jail on August 30th.

One bill being drafted would give a judge the latitude to consider a suspect's physical and mental status, character, criminal history and potential danger to society.

Members of Caitlin Wooten's family, as well as law enforcement officials, are scheduled to attend a news conference at the Capitol tomorrow to discuss Paddock's proposal.